Flexi-hours appeals most to workers

MOST workers would choose flexible hours over material perks such as a bonus, a new survey today will suggest.

Polling the "work aspirations and expectations" of almost 1,200 people, accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers found that flexible working arrangements were rated the most important benefit by 47 per cent. Performance-related bonuses came second with just 19 per cent of the vote.

Flexible working was given fairly equal priority by men and women, with 41 per cent and 54 per cent respectively ranking this benefit the most valuable. The findings come as the new coalition government looks to extend the right to request flexible working to all employees.

Isabel McGarvie, head of HR services at PWC in Scotland, said: "Employees' attitudes have changed over the past two years, particularly as they have felt the pressure of having to do more with less as companies became more and more mindful of taking on new employees and filling vacancies.

"Our survey has shown people still hope for a better work-life balance, and with bonuses still unpredictable in uncertain times, for broader benefits."

The research found that a good company pension plan was the prime perk for 15 per cent of respondents, making it the third most popular benefit.

Benefits of less significance included paid time off to do social or humanitarian work (7 per cent), exposure to advanced networking and social activities, and paid training and development (both at 6 per cent).