Before we list out the employee benefits your company should be offering, let\u2019s take a closer look at the characteristics of graduates in 2021. That said, please bear in mind that these are generalised for information purposes only. We understand that each individual\u2019s behaviour and desires are influenced by a range of factors like personality, culture, gender, upbringing and other nuances.<\/p>\n Having been born in the year 2000 (+\/- a few years), graduates in 2021 are most likely Gen Z (also known as iGen or Zoomers). They are the first digital natives of the world and were born into the age of the internet. Yet, they still prioritise offline relationships and in-person interactions. As such, authenticity, connectivity, and trust is of utmost importance to them.<\/p>\n Gen Z\u2019ers are also ambitious, seeking both personal and career growth. At the same time, they\u2019re also concerned about the economy and desire financial security (especially graduating during a pandemic), and are more likely than any other generation to seek out mental health support for anxiety and depression. What\u2019s more, they have a strong moral compass and are passionate about social causes.<\/p>\n Further reading<\/strong>: Discover more about the different generations in the workplace<\/a> and zoom in on the recruitment strategy for Gen Z\u2019ers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Based on the Employee Benefits, Health and Wellbeing Survey 2021<\/a>, graduates were most attracted to benefits that gave them a better work-life balance and prioritised their health and wellbeing. Here\u2019s the full breakdown:<\/p>\n Flextime allows employees to choose the starting and finishing time, as long as they work the contracted number of hours a day. This is because there\u2019s no reason why an employee can\u2019t work 10 to 6 or even 8 to 4 instead of the standard, 9 to 5 workday. Overall, graduates are highly attracted to flexitime. In fact, when asked how employers could better support their physical, mental, and personal wellbeing, almost 9 in 10 (86%) said flexible working hours.<\/p>\n The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a shift to working from home and flexible working arrangements, giving employees in the UK (and elsewhere) a reference point. They discovered that doing so actually had a number of physical and mental health benefits. For starters, they could enjoy regular exercise during the week rather than \u2018binge exercising\u2019 during the weekend.<\/p>\n Graduates claimed:<\/p>\n Did you know that Nike recently closed its corporate office and gave its staff a week off<\/a> to support their mental health? More and more companies are following this lead and prioritising time off for health reasons. After an unprecedented year, over half of graduates (57%) would like their employers to support them with an additional \u2018health day\u2019 allowance for personal wellbeing.<\/p>\n Staying on the theme of health and wellbeing, 43% of graduates desire financial support via employee benefits like private health insurance and dental coverage. In the context of the UK, it\u2019s not difficult to see why. The country is home to an increasingly backlogged National Health Service (NHS)<\/a>, made worse due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a bank-breakingly expensive private healthcare sector.<\/p>\n That being said, graduates prefer to take a preventative approach to health and wellbeing. Almost a third (29%) said they would like their employers to subsidise health and fitness benefits. This included support for exercise equipment such as weights. What\u2019s more, graduates are also inclined towards mental health support such as an employee assistance program (EAP).<\/p>\n Further reading: <\/strong>FInd out the main characteristics of an EAP<\/a>.<\/p>\n Perhaps unsurprisingly, monetary benefits were the least desired employee benefits amongst graduates. A mere 14% of graduates prioritised monetary benefits over health and wellness benefits.<\/p>\n![\"Corporate](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/PPUK-blog-banners-1138x493-px_02-07.jpg?resize=700%2C303&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\nUnderstanding graduates in 2021<\/h2>\n
Top 4 most important employee benefits for graduates in 2021<\/h2>\n
1. Flexitime<\/h3>\n
How working from home can help graduates stay healthy<\/h4>\n
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2. Health days<\/h3>\n
3. Private health insurance and dental coverage<\/h3>\n
4. Wellness benefits<\/h3>\n
Money?<\/h3>\n