A third (37%) of employers expect to spend more than they do now on their benefits offering to improve engagement and lower absenteeism, according to a survey.
A further 50% expect to spend the same but only 15% expect to increase resources (such as HR staff numbers) to achieve this.
Jelf surveyed more than 100 attendees at its latest employment seminar and also found that a substantial majority were likely to review their benefits over the short term.
More than three quarters (79%) said they would review their benefits and wellbeing offerings within the next three years with, 55% planning to do so next year.
Jelf said it believed that AE may well be creating an environment where employers were reconsidering the entire benefits package, not just pensions, and added this provided an opportunity for employers to improve engagement and tackle absenteeism.
Jelf Employee Benefits head of benefits strategy Steve Herbert said: "Budgets are still very tight for employers, and so we wouldn't have expected benefits to be reviewed anytime soon.
"However, many companies are right in the throes of planning for AE and we believe employers are taking this is an opportunity to review all their benefits. It is good news that employers are looking to actively improve engagement and tackle absenteeism.
"We urge employers to incorporate engagement within any review of benefits. When staff know what benefits they're offered, they're engaged. We're pleasantly surprised by these results, but whether resources are increased or not, planning for staff engagement is key," he added.
