The Compensation & Benefit Survey shows that employers are providing more benefits to staff to attract talents and help them achieve a work-life balance as well as develop in their career.

5-Day Working Week

The survey finds that 68% of respondents implemented a five-day working week in 2008. It is expected that a further 6% will implement such working schedule next year, making up a total of 74%.

Flexible Working Hours

Only 13% have implemented in their workplace, and a further 6% of the companies expect to introduce this practice next year. Among companies that provided flexible working hours, most of them allowed employees to start and work at any time, provided that they have to be at the office during core working time period and fulfill a fixed number of working hours every day.

Leave

Besides annual leave and sick leave, companies still provide different types of leave for employees, including maternity leave, compassionate leave and marriage leave. At least 69% of respondents implemented all of the leave types mentioned. On the other hand, almost 30% of respondents provided study and examination leave to staff in 2008 and a further 9% will provide this benefit next year. Near one-third of the respondents provided paternity leave to staff in 2008 and a further 8% will provide this type of leave next year.

Health-related Benefits

About 30% of the respondents provided an ergonomic working environment for their employees in 2008 and a further 7% expect to provide this in 2009. Facilities providing an ergonomic working environment include computer monitors with a height-adjustable stand, chairs with arms, and keyboard trays. Besides, more than one-tenth of employers provided a smoking cessation programme to staff.

Other Benefits

For insurance plans, 82% of respondents provided clinical (out-patient) service, 80% provided hospitalization, 67% provided Chinese Bonesetters consultation and Chinese medical practitioners consultation, and 36% provided dental service in 2008 with the percentage expected to increase by 12% in 2009.

Among the surveyed companies, 75% provided training to staff, and close to half of them provided both in-house and outsourced training in 2008. The survey shows that 49% of the companies provided education allowance to their employees this year and a further 10% intend to provide next year.

Other benefits mentioned in the survey include transportation allowance, purchase of company stocks at discounted prices, cash housing allowance, personal loan, etc.