More than three quarters (84%) of employee respondents believe that receiving summer perks makes them more productive, according to research by Peldon Rose.
Its survey of 600 UK-based office employees also found that 34% of respondents are not offered any form of seasonal benefits.
The research also found:
- 40% of respondents feel that access to summer perks would make them happy at work, and 87% believe they would help them to bond with their colleagues.
- 59% of respondents cite summer hours, such as early finishes, as the most valued summer perk, and 37% value ice-cream deliveries.
- 7% of respondents can take advantage of summer operating hours, and 13% are offered ice-cream over the summer months.
- 35% of respondents can come to work in casual dress in the summer, 34% are offered team drinks as a summer perk, and 22% have the opportunity to go for team meals.
- 66% of respondents identify their office environment as one of the factors likely to keep them happy at work, 57% value outdoor spaces and opportunities to get fresh air, 40% value natural lighting in the workplace, and 34% value showers and changing facilities.
- 66% of respondents do not have access to outdoor spaces in the workplace, 39% do not work in an environment with natural lighting, and 65% of respondents do not have access to showers or changing facilities in their workplace.
- 42% of respondents feel that their current office environment does not have a positive impact on their happiness.
- 31% of respondents would be willing to sacrifice at least 1% of their salary for an office refurbishment and enhanced facilities, and 66% of respondents claim they would spend more hours in the office if extra facilities were provided.
Jitesh Patel (pictured), chief executive officer at Peldon Rose, said: “We know that in the summer, employees tend to exercise more, eat healthier, and place a higher value on office facilities, such as changing areas, showers and air conditioning. They also want to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air whenever possible, making the desire to have access to outdoor spaces and natural lighting that much more important to their wellbeing.
“As our survey reveals, it is clear that employees don’t feel their offices are doing enough to meet these needs or to instigate team bonding. If employees are willing to give up part of their salary and spend more time in the office due to an office refurbishment, businesses should take notice and put an emphasis on creating strategic changes to their office that benefits their workforce.
BESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswyBESbswy
“The majority (59%) of UK [employees] say they work most productively in the office, yet less than half (48%) are involved in any planned changes to the office. If employees feel involved and engaged in decisions around the work environment, they are more likely to spend time in the office, form deeper relationships, and improve collaboration, staff retention and productivity.”