Most UK healthcare communications agencies offer new staff a range of benefits, with flexible working almost ubiquitous, according to a new survey.
HCA (Healthcare Communications Association) Benchmarking survey found that 96% of respondents offer employees the option work from home and 91% are offering flexible working hours.
The survey, which was established in 2003, this year saw 23 member organisations take part. The HCA said its findings show flexible working and other benefits are high on agencies’ recruitment agendas.
Mike Dixon, chief executive officer of the HCA, said: “It is encouraging to see that our agency sector is working hard to attract and motivate employees through maintaining competitive salary levels and delivering attractive benefits, including embracing flexible working, which can help maximise the potential pool of communications professionals.”
Talent recruitment and retention is considered one of the major upheavals facing the healthcare communications industry today, but the HCA survey indicates that industry leaders are stepping up to the challenge.
It found common benefits on offer included perks like private medical insurance (91%), season ticket loans (78%) and childcare vouchers (74%).
“This is all so important at a time when we need to be attracting new talent into healthcare communications and ensuring we are retaining the talent we already have,” added Dixon.
The survey also showed 57% of agencies are offering their employees gym memberships/subsidies and 61% offer sabbaticals.
Bonuses were also awarded by 61% of organisations to most staff levels, although the survey doesn’t indicate the value of these bonuses.
Dixon concluded: “The HCA will be considering this data and its implications in the coming months, so we ensure out activity and support compliments the more flexible working practices of our membership.”