Employees value benefits far over income increases

When a company’s fortunes turn for the better or worse, employee benefits are usually the 1st to change. Businesses that start doing very well generally offer more benefits. Corporations can often help improve employee sentiment very easily. providing more benefits or perks could be much more successful than providing salary increases. Article resource: Most employees prefer benefits over higher salary

Wide variety of benefits

Companies typically have very different benefits among them. Still, on average, 20 to 40 percent more than a base salary is paid. A $50,000-per-year salaried employee's basic benefits might cost a company from $12,500 to $20,000. Some workers were given the option of a $10,000 per year raise or benefits. They almost always chose benefits. That amount was then increased to $20,000. Still, 48 percent of employees wanted the benefits.

Why benefits win

Worker benefits and perks can make a large difference in worker satisfaction. Both Forbes and CNN Money end up putting together lists of the best companies to work for. Typically, it involves the corporations with better benefits and perks. Some companies have good schedules, life coaches, massages and auto maintenance, along with basic things such as retirement and health insurance. It is considered to be a better work environment when there are better perks and benefits being offered to workers. They're more likely to be rated higher for employee retention and satisfaction.

Discovering a way to get better benefits

It is not always simple to ask for a raise. The tough economy makes it even worse. Your boss might not want to give you more financial compensation. There may be more benefits to be negotiated though. Employers might be willing to work with you for work-at-home days, a different work schedule, and additional paid time off, bring your pet to work day, flexible hours or even sponsored gym memberships. If you need to ask for perks rather than a raise, you need to still approach the request in the same way - outline why you feel you deserve them, what the perks would cost the company and what type of standards could possibly be applied to the perks.

Information from

Fool.com Benefits Canada Emerald Insight Sanofi-Aventis Healthcare Survey Web MIT JobSearch.About.Com