Women Happier At Work, But Men Get Better Benefits

By Author: Debi O’Donovan
Total Articles: 198
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More women are happy at work than men. Almost two thirds (63%) of women are happy in their job role compared to 56% of men, according to YouGov/Employee Benefits research on ‘The role of reward in happiness in the workplace' .

Despite both genders being equally happy with the way they are rewarded, there is a clear discrepancy in the benefits each receives.

Men are far more likely to receive a bonus (38% do compared to 27% of women). They are more than twice as likely to get a company car or car allowance (20% of men get these, compared to 7% of women). While 23% of men say they get private medical insurance compared to 13% of female workers.

Debi O'Donovan, editorial director of Employee Benefits, said: The types of benefits where we are seeing the biggest gender discrepancies are usually associated with senior management or higher pay levels. Men still dominate the top jobs, and on average earn more. What this shows is the ‘hidden' inequality in reward.

Among ...
... the 4,134 people surveyed, 92% of men worked full time, and 7% of men worked part time; while 69% of women worked full time and 31% of women worked part time.
Overall, women were more motivated to perform well (62%) and were more likely to go the extra mile for customers (73%) compared to their male counterparts where 54% were motivated to perform well and 67% were prepared to go the extra mile for customers.

KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS:

% of people satisfied with these aspects of employment Male Female

How I am rewarded for the work I do
Very or fairly satisfied 41% 42%
Recognition I receive for the work I do
Very or fairly satisfied 41% 42%
My work-life balance
Very or fairly satisfied 51% 60%
The benefits I receive
Very or fairly satisfied 47% 44%
The training opportunities available to me
Very or fairly satisfied 41% 47%
The career development opportunities available to me
Very or fairly satisfied 32% 36%

% of people agreeing with the following statements: Male Female

I feel happy in my current job or role
Tend to agree/strongly agree 56% 63%

I feel happy working for my current employer
Tend to agree/ strongly agree 53% 56%

I feel motivated to perform well in the work I do
Tend to agree/strongly agree 54% 62%

I want to go the extra mile for customers or clients
Tend to agree/strongly agree 67% 73%

Percentage of people receiving particular employee benefits Male Female
Bonuses 38% 27%
Final salary pension scheme 33% 31%
Other occupational pension plan 25% 21%
Access to free counselling 23% 24%
Private medical insurance 23% 13%
Company car or car allowance 20% 7%
Life assurance cover 19% 12%
Employee share scheme 18% 13%
Sports/social club membership 14% 9%
Health screening 11% 7%
Personal accident insurance 8% 4%
Critical illness insurance 7% 4%
Healthcare cash plan 5% 4%
Income protection 5% 2%
Creche/payment for childcare 4% 4%
Source: YouGov.com/employeebenefits-confex.co.uk