Job adverts ignore benefits_2

A survey finds that a majority of job advertisement fail to sell the benefits package on offer

Only one in four job adverts make reference to employee benefits, according to research from consultancy firm Watson Wyatt.

The study found that while more than 70% of advertisements provided some details of salary, just 25% made any reference to employee benefits on offer such as pensions, health insurance and bonuses.

Gary Smith, a senior consultant at Watson Wyatt, says: “Employee benefits can make up as much as 40% of an employee’s total remuneration package, so those employers with a good range of benefits may be missing out on a useful recruitment tool.

“Employees traditionally undervalue the benefits, and in particular the pensions benefits, provided to them by their employer. Perhaps some employers are guilty of encouraging this by not highlighting the benefits they offer at the earliest possible stage in their relationship with potential recruits,” he adds.

The study found that 16% of adverts made reference to pensions, 6% referred to a car provision, 3% mention health insurance benefits, and 1% mentioned life insurance.

It also found 4% of jobs adverts mentioned flexible working, 9% referred to holiday allowance, 8% mentioned a bonus scheme, and 2% highlighted share options.

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