A bonus is not everything. What forms of recognition do employees expect?

Every sixth employee feels unappreciated by their employer, according to the survey “Do you feel appreciated?” prepared by Nais, a benefits management platform, and Enpulse, an organization studying employee engagement. Appreciation can take many forms, and one of the most valued by employees are employee benefits and bonuses.

A well-understood employee is a satisfied employee

Employee benefits in 2025 should be diverse, support well-being, address basic needs, and be personalized – this is according to the “Benefit Trendbook 2025” report developed by Pluxee Polska. The concept of “universal benefits” offered to every employee, regardless of age, gender, or family situation, is slowly fading away. The balance is shifting the other way – 39% of employees believe that benefits should be better tailored to their individual needs. Eight out of ten employees expect benefits to support their household budget in the area of everyday expenses. They should help maintain a balance between work and personal life and meet basic needs. Grażyna Pogan, Business Development Manager at Smart Solutions HR, points out that the key to personalizing the benefits offering is understanding the employee and their needs.

Team members derive greater satisfaction from their work when they see that their needs are understood. It is crucial to provide them with comfort and a sense of security in the workplace. Flexible working hours, meal subsidies, the possibility of remote work, access to psychotherapy services, or additional days off, such as on their birthday – these small things have a huge impact on employees’ well-being and engagement, explains Pogan.

Personalizing benefits no longer just means offering employees freedom in their choice and use, but also creating new ones that follow changing expectations. In 2024, innovative solutions emerged, such as veterinary care for employees’ pets, menstrual leave, or personal assistant services.

Benefit or already a standard?

According to the data presented in the Pluxee Polska report, 40% of employees consider employee benefits to be a factor that truly motivates them to work. One-fifth view them as a means of pursuing their passions, especially when they include cultural and recreational benefits or prepaid cards. Additionally, more than half of employees highlight the importance of benefits in building relationships with colleagues. Among the commonly offered benefits, private medical care, flexible working hours, life insurance, and sports cards remain the most popular. But do these benefits still motivate employees to take a job and increase their satisfaction, or are they now seen as an obvious addition?

The “Benefits Report” developed by Enter The Code shows that one in four employees treats basic benefits as a standard. Many take a job just to be guaranteed a medical package, a sports card, or a training budget. Offering such benefits may be the reason why an employee chooses to work in a specific place. However, once they start working, are these factors what make the job more satisfying? Sometimes, this is no longer enough, says Natalia Myskova, Managing Director of Smart Solutions HR. “Employees often cannot say what benefits they are missing. In such situations, the role of the employer and openness to communication are crucial. Employees need choice and a human approach,” she adds.

And what about financial benefits? Despite the growing popularity of non-financial benefits, the cash bonus still plays a significant role in building employee engagement and well-being. 57% of participants in the Nais and Enpulse survey consider it the most important form of appreciation.

What do foreign employees expect?

What benefits are most appreciated by foreign employees? Some of the needs and expectations of foreigners regarding benefits overlap with the approach of Polish employees. They value flexible working hours, comprehensive health insurance, and the opportunity to develop their skills through internal training. However, as Grażyna Pogan points out, foreigners working in Poland often seek benefits that not only make their lives easier and improve their everyday comfort, but also help with integration, adaptation, and visa formalities.

What foreigners employed in Poland particularly value is the employer’s support in handling legal formalities: obtaining the appropriate visas, work permits, or PESEL numbers. This is particularly important because administrative processes can be complicated and time-consuming, especially for those who do not speak Polish. Therefore, Polish language courses are highly valued among foreigners as a benefit. A group of benefits that are especially appreciated by foreigners are those that help them adapt to a new place and integrate into Polish society, such as the opportunity to participate in meetings with local employees, cultural events, or training on Polish culture and customs. It is also important to support employees in finding suitable housing or a school or kindergarten if they are relocating to Poland with their family. Thanks to such benefits, foreigners have a greater sense of comfort, can integrate better, and focus on their work, which positively impacts their engagement and job satisfaction in Poland, explains Grażyna Pogan.

Sources: Pluxee Poland ‘Benefit Trendbook 2025’, Nais&Enpulse ‘Do you feel valued? Report 2024’, Enter The Code “Benefit Report 2022”.