Employees Prefer Greater Flexibility Rather Than Gym Memberships and Apps

The extremely high demand for flexible work opportunities sustains well into the second half of 2024, and research consistently shows that is not changing any time soon.  

A recent survey published by Investors In People reveals employees overwhelmingly prefer flexible working arrangements over other wellness perks such as gym memberships and stress management apps.  

Employee Benefits reports that more than 90% of employees with access to flexible work say it is “the biggest driver” of their wellbeing. It’s revealed that over half, or 68%, of employees who are offered flexible work arrangements use it “very or fairly often.”  

Only 41% of employees see value in gym memberships — with 59% admitting to never using them. Meanwhile, stress management workshops (25%) and wellness apps (27%) are found to be valued lower than flexible work arrangements in terms of how many employees said they find these programs helpful. 

Instead, the study shows that employees place great value on supportive management, open communication, and flexible work. These are cited as the primary drivers of overall job satisfaction.  

The rising demand for flexible work is changing how companies approach keeping employees happy. Companies that don’t adjust to the increasing number of workers prioritizing work-life balance over traditional perks, could lose out on attracting top talent. 

The future of work will likely center allowing employees greater flexibility, along with a workplace that supports open and transparent communication with management. The rising trend in 2024 is setting a new standard for attraction and retention efforts, and data reveals it’s one that better meets the new demands of the post-pandemic workforce.