Christmas may be the perfect time for gift giving, however when it comes to the workplace many bosses aren’t rewarding or recognising their employees with a token gift, according to new research. Contributor Chieu Cao, CMO & Co-Founder – Perkbox
A study of 1,000 UK workers published in the Most Generous Time of the Year Study by Perkbox, the UK’s fastest growing employee benefits platform, revealed that 30 percent of employees haven’t received any gift from their boss or manager at Christmas.
Of those who do get a token gift from their boss at Christmas, more than 1 in 3 (35 percent) said they received a team meal out. This was followed by more traditional gifts with 29 percent receiving a drink related gift such as a bottle of wine or alcohol, and a further 23 percent who said they receive a food related present like chocolate or a food hamper from their management at Christmas.
Interestingly for bosses, when workers were asked what they would like to get from their boss at Christmas, monetary gifts were favoured – 1 in 4 (25 percent) revealed they would like a money-based bonus such as cash, a bonus payment in their salary or a gift card/voucher.
Meanwhile, a similar number (23 percent) said they would like to receive a pay rise from their boss at Christmas.
In fact, all age groups favoured a money-based bonus or a pay rise as a gift from their boss.
Chieu Cao, CMO & Co-Founder at Perkbox, said: “It is perhaps unsurprising to see that there is a disconnect between what employers give and what employees actually want to receive from their boss at Christmas. However, what is also interesting is the number of employees who don’t receive anything from management at all. Employers are clearly missing an opportunity to engage their staff – when they fail to reward and recognise them at Christmas.
It’s a pity, as there are so many easy ways for employers to show their appreciation, and at a relatively small cost to the business. The positive impact of rewarding and recognising at Christmas would be increased productivity, and improved employee motivation and satisfaction, all year round.
Cao continues: “In fact, we were not at all surprised to see the popularity of a money-based bonus such as cash, a bonus payment or a gift card. Indeed, the Perkbox scheme understands that employees want access to personalised gift vouchers, discounts and freebies that can make their paycheques go further. With Christmas being an expensive time of year, the monetary savings or ‘perks’ passed on to employees will be greatly appreciated.
These can offer choice, convenience and flexibility for both the business and the employee. By recognising what staff would really like to receive at Christmas, employers can show their staff how valued they are within the company and thank them for their efforts throughout the year.”
Top 10 Items Employees Would Like to Receive from their Boss at Christmas
- Money based bonus – e.g. cash, a bonus payment in your salary or a gift card/voucher – 25 percent
- A pay rise – 23 percent
- A team meal out – 8 percent
- An additional day off on Christmas Eve – 7 percent
- A drink related gift – e.g. a bottle of wine, spirits etc – 5 percent
- An early finish on a Friday/several Fridays in December – 5 percent
- A food related gift – e.g. a food hamper, chocolate, etc – 4 percent
- A piece of technology which is not given to you for work e.g. a tablet, speakers, headphones etc – 3 percent
- Working from home on Christmas Eve – 2 percent
- Flowers – 1 percent
