Time is becoming increasingly important for employees
It's not just money that counts; the crisis is putting employers to the test, says a leading HR service provider, and concludes: Only those who offer suitable additional benefits will retain skilled workers in the long term.
The world of work has changed during the crisis. Both employees and employers have adapted to more flexible working models. Those who do not keep up with the times risk losing skilled workers. Many companies are aware of this problem. The latest labor market study by personnel service provider Robert Half shows: Already 61 % of all managers offer their employees new additional benefits since the beginning of the pandemic. Alternative working models play a major role in this.
Shortened workweek and job sharing: Is time the new money?
A shortened workweek is one way to give employees additional time off. The idea: instead of spreading their working hours over the usual five days, employees perform them in a four-day workweek, for example - and have gained a day off in return. After all, 52 % of all respondents already offer such a model as a result of the Corona crisis - or would still like to introduce it. However, 40 % seem to be critical of this model and refrain from a shortened workweek with the same working hours.
Job sharing, in which two employees share a full-time position, is also rejected by almost half of all respondents (47 %). Almost as many (46 %), however, are in favor of this model. "Flexible work models make companies attractive to highly skilled professionals and help retain existing employees. In order to remain an interesting employer in the volatile labor markets, it makes sense to review and possibly revise your own benefits," says Zerrin Azeri, Associate Director at Robert Half.
Home office as a solution to improve work-life balance
High on the agenda since the start of the pandemic is the option of working from a home office. 71 % of all respondents offer their employees the option of remote or teleworking. Flexitime has also become a proven way for many respondents (61 %) to ease the burden on employees and allow for more flexible working hours. "Home office has become a necessity for many companies to maintain operations due to the pandemic. Concerns about this have not been borne out. On the contrary, remote work leads to happier employees and higher productivity. It also has a positive impact in recruiting," says Azeri.
According to the survey, additional paid vacation days are also a way for 37 % of all managers to bind their employees to the company and make the workplace more attractive. But childcare that is not tied to the workplace (32 %) is now also a common benefit.
Despite crisis: More than half of all managers believe in stable salaries
Benefits are becoming increasingly important for companies. Nevertheless, salary continues to play a key role in attracting and retaining skilled workers. More than half of all managers believe that salaries will remain stable. This is the result of the current Salary overview 2021 from Robert Half which was published in mid-October. It also shows how the needs of industries are changing, what skills are in demand, and what salaries are paid on average in Switzerland.
Source: Robert Half
