A Baltic-wide study conducted by Stebby revealed that 88% of respondents consider their workplace well-being as important as their salary. The Baltic Workplace Well-being Survey, with nearly 5,000 respondents, assessed the status of employee benefits and company health support in the region for the first time, highlighting trends and preferences to help employers better meet market needs.
The results highlighted several differences in workplace culture and company attitudes toward employee benefits. For example, traditional benefits (company events and free snacks) are losing importance in the eyes of employees, while personalized benefits are highly valued. 68% of respondents consider flexible work arrangements essential, and 57% health benefits.
Salary and Well-being
The study reveals that 82% of employees would prefer a workplace with well-being programs to a higher salary, and 77% of employees with well-being support feel adequately compensated (compared to 48% of those without). This trend persists across all salary levels, indicating that well-being programs contribute to a more comprehensive sense of value and compensation, regardless of income level. Additionally, employees with access to well-being programs reported a 23% higher overall well-being.
There is also a strong correlation between recruitment, talent retention, and company culture. Companies that offer comprehensive health benefits gain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent. The main deterrents in recruiting specialists are a toxic company culture (92.1%), low salary (90.9%), and the absence of health insurance or benefits (49.7%), meaning well-being is a decisive factor in recruitment and retention.
Laura Pukk, HR Manager at Stebby, stated that the study results indicate a change in general trends and traditions, highlighting an area that employers can no longer ignore. “Employees need a suitable environment to do work that has a positive impact. While a nice office and social events used to be the standard, now the desires at the level of both physical and mental well-being have become much more individual and require consideration of everyone. If an employer wants to recruit the best and maintain high efficiency, they must also consider personalized and health-promoting benefits beyond the salary,” Pukk added.
Health Compensation is the Most Demanded Benefit
The most demanded health-related support is health compensation—Stebby is most used in this regard by those who are offered compensation and is most demanded among those whose employers do not provide health compensation. Its strengths include a wide selection, ease of use, personalization options, and cost-effectiveness.
Health compensation is a rising trend among employees, with 70% of those who have it using it.
A total of 4,959 working-age people from three countries and 15 sectors participated in the Baltic Workplace Well-being Survey. The survey included 25 questions focused on employee benefits and well-being. The survey analysis was conducted by Stebby.
Stebby is the largest well-being services platform in the Baltics, used by 2,000 companies to provide employees with a wide range of well-being services and health insurance options for compensation.
The entire study can be found here.
