Benefits Shifts 2016: Technology as a workplace perk set for 161% growth

The report suggests that in 2015 just under a quarter (23%) of respondents offered free or subsidised home technology to employees but that this figure will nearly double in 2016 to 42%, and will then continue on an increasingly upward path.

Much of the growth in the market will come from the salary sacrifice model with the number of respondents offering home technology through the salary sacrifice model expected to rise by 161.5% over the next few years.  

The discounts on home technology are adding to voluntary benefits schemes that already include discounts on the likes of leisure discounts or vouchers, subsidised gym memberships and product discounts or vouchers.

“While the latter take care of the health and wellbeing of employees the rising trend of discounted home technology is also a factor of employers helping their employees achieve better work/life balances,” said Debi O’Donovan, partner at REBA. “By helping their employees purchase new technology for the home employers are able to assist staff to work more flexibly whilst away from the office.” 

The falling cost of such technology – as well as the fact that home technology such as PCs, laptops and tablets are amongst the most requested benefits from employees – is also making them a more attractive option than ever, said O’Donovan.

See the full breakdown of additional perks offered via employee-paid channels by downloading the REBA/JLT Employee Benefits Shifts Research 2016.