Employee benefits in companies

In France, most employees are entitled, on top of their monthly salary, to various employee benefits: bonuses, benefits in kind or a PCS Incentive card. Usually granted by the company head, these benefits are often negotiated by the CSE (works council) to improve quality of life at work. For employers, they are an excellent way to retain talent and make the company more attractive.

What are employee benefits?

Meal vouchers, discounts on certain products… Company benefits are a form of remuneration that employees receive on top of their “basic” salary. A genuine source of extra income, they can be granted as financial benefits, bonuses, gifts, vouchers, shopping vouchers or benefits in kind. Flexible working arrangements (remote working, extra leave, annualised part-time work) are also considered highly valuable benefits.

Mandatory or optional employee benefits

While the choice to grant benefits often lies with the company head and the CSE, some employee benefits are mandatory in France:

• paid leave;
• company health insurance;
• covering 50% of public transport costs;
• covering business expenses;
• the personal training account (CPF);
• compensation for workplace accidents.

Benefits in kind or monetary benefits

Benefits in kind are a form of non-monetary remuneration that helps employees save on their everyday expenses (meal vouchers, company car or housing, gym, childcare…) or extras (leisure and culture tickets, holiday vouchers…). Monetary benefits are usually temporary elements of remuneration: time savings account (CET), supplementary health insurance, profit-sharing, incentive schemes, retirement savings plan (PER), company savings plan (PEE)…

Examples of employee benefits

• meal vouchers and cards;
• company cars or housing;
• preferential rates or vouchers for the company's products;
• business payment cards and gift cards;
• access to concierge, childcare or pet care services;
• work tools (phone, computer…).

Why a good employee benefits scheme matters

Attract new talent

The employee benefits you put in place improve your employees' quality of life at work and spread by word of mouth. Wellbeing at work has become one of the major challenges in the business world.

Motivate employees

Showing your teams that quality of life at work is at the heart of your concerns is one of the best ways to increase your employees' motivation every day.

Retain employees

Company benefits help you retain your employees over the long term and reduce the costs of turnover (departures, absenteeism, training new hires).

The most popular employee benefits in France

Very attentive to wellbeing at work and work-life balance, French employees pay more and more attention to their benefits. Top of the list: meal vouchers, simple and quick to set up, followed by social, sports and cultural activities. Gift vouchers, shopping vouchers and business prepaid cards are also very popular, as they let employees treat themselves in store or online.

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