Employees reveal what they REALLY want this Christmas

In August 2023, we asked over 1,000 employees and organisations what matters to them, what motivates them and what they want this Christmas. Read on, as the answers might surprise you!

1. Support with wellbeing and work-life balance

Perhaps unsurprisingly after the turmoil and challenges of the past few years, top of the employee wish list was wellbeing and work-life balance with 63% saying it’s their main workplace concern and 86% believing that workplaces are responsible for helping staff with their main concern.

2. A workplace reward

Everyone likes to feel appreciated, especially at Christmas. In fact, 86% of employees in our survey believe that workplaces should offer Christmas rewards with 83% saying their preferred choice would be a gift card. 

3. Help with the cost of living

ONS data says that the price of consumer goods and services rose by 9.6% in October 2022, the fastest rate in 40 years! In our survey, 72% of employees said they’re worried about rising costs and 92% believe that organisations should support staff in the cost of living crisis.

4. A little more motivation

High motivation is linked to engagement, problem solving, productivity and handling uncertainty yet the Good Work Index suggests that people are less engaged, less fulfilled and more stressed in their working life than ever before. There is an easy win for boosting motivation though with 90% of participants saying a gift card at Christmas would boost their motivation, for 1-3 months (32%), 4-6 months (29%) or 10-12 months (28%).

5. The chance to support local

Interest in supporting local is strong with 98% of people reporting that they’re keen to help local businesses for Christmas 2023. The research also revealed that employees believe organisations should do the same with participants calling it a ‘no-brainer’ for those whose staff work and live locally which has a positive effect on the community.

6. A reason to stay

A massive 40% of employees have considered leaving their current job and 91% are more likely to want to work for a firm that offers a good benefit/reward package. 37% of organisations in our survey said their main concern is retaining the right people. If that’s a priority for your firm, making your rewards and incentives appealing is top of the agenda. 

7. A ‘trivial’ reward

20% of employees expect their workplace to spend £41-£60 on their Christmas reward. By a happy coincidence, this pretty much falls into the UK Government’s £50 trivial benefits scheme (and remember, you can offer this more than once a year as long as it doesn’t become part of the employee’s regular pay).

Give your team the gift card they really want this Christmas, and make your rewards matter: