Two in five workers would take a pay cut for better benefits

MetLife research shows

Jaskeet Briah
clock • 1 min read

Two in five (40%) UK workers would choose a job that pays a lower salary if generous employee benefits were offered, including income protection, death in service or hybrid working, MetLife UK has found.

According to a survey of 2,009 employees, the protection and employee benefits provider found that financial bonuses (37%) were the top priority when looking at the financial benefits of a potential new job. This was followed by generous pension contributions (35%), income protection (33%) and private healthcare and dental care (26%). In terms of other employee benefits, nearly half (47%) ranked hybrid and flexible working as important, while 42% would look at annual leave allowances and 34% wished for mental health support and wellness packages. Adrian Matthews, head of employee b...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Employee Benefits

Half of adults feel financially unprepared for key life events

Half of adults feel financially unprepared for key life events

Most pronounced among those aged 45-54

Sophia Panayi
clock 28 September 2026 • 2 min read
Certua Life partners with employee benefits platform

Certua Life partners with employee benefits platform

Heka partnership

Cameron Roberts
clock 07 September 2026 • 2 min read
New multinational benefits leader for Howden Employee Benefits

New multinational benefits leader for Howden Employee Benefits

Hannah Proctor takes the role

Cameron Roberts
clock 03 September 2026 • 1 min read