Employee Benefits Guide Ireland 2026

Published date: October 9, 2025

Order your free copy of the 2026 UK & Ireland Employee Benefits Guide today.

Looking to improve your employee benefits strategy in Ireland? Our free guide reveals what professionals value most - helping you attract and retain top talent in a competitive Irish market. Fill in the form on this page to download your copy of the guide.

Following the success of our first edition, we surveyed over 2,000 professionals across Ireland and the UK to understand the evolving state of employee benefits in 2025. This year’s guide offers deeper insights into the value and impact of work benefits across the UK & Ireland, including hybrid/flexible working, bonuses, pensions, insurance and more.

What is the Robert Walters Employee Benefits Guide?

The guide is a comprehensive analysis of the benefits professionals in the UK & Ireland receive and prioritise. It includes segmented data by seniority and company size, infographic-style key findings, and expert commentary from HR and compensation specialists. The guide complements our Ireland salary survey data to give a complete overview of compensation packages.

What’s in the guide?

The comprehensive guide covers the perks and benefits professionals are receiving across Ireland and the UK - and what they value most.

1. Types of employee benefits professionals are receiving—and what they value most

Financial benefits (e.g. bonuses, pensions)
Paid leave
Family benefits (e.g. maternity, paternity leave)
Insurance & health benefits
Wellbeing & lifestyle perks

2. Key insights from the UK & Ireland benefits survey

The guide gives insightful overviews of key survey findings - unpacked and visualised to help employers benchmark and improve their offering. Request the guide to dive into:

Satisfaction with benefits packages

Discover which benefits drive higher satisfaction among Irish professionals, including pension contributions, annual leave, and hybrid working.

Retention and job-seeking intention

Understand how benefits influence whether professionals are actively seeking new roles in Ireland, and how satisfaction levels correlate with retention risk.

Bonuses & pensions

Explore how eligibility and expectations around bonuses and pension schemes affect how fairly employees feel compensated.

Hybrid and flexible working

Track how flexible work policies have shifted in Ireland and the UK since 2024, and gain extra insights like how rising commuting costs impact satisfaction.

Customisation of benefits

See how many professionals can tailor their benefits packages, and the impact of flexibility and personalisation.

Salary perception

Learn how benefits shape professionals’ views of their base salary and overall compensation.

Communication and understanding

Review how benefits are communicated in Irish organisations and the consequences of poor communication on employee engagement.

Demographic variation

Understand how benefits are received and valued differently across age groups, seniority levels and genders.

Expert Insights from HR Leaders

The guide includes commentary from senior HR and compensation specialists, offering strategic insight into how Irish employers are adapting their benefits strategies to meet evolving expectations.

Why employee benefits matter in Ireland

Employee benefits are no longer just a perk - they’re a strategic tool for attracting, engaging, and retaining talent. In Ireland’s competitive hiring landscape, professionals expect packages that reflect their values and support their wellbeing.

The 2026 guide helps Irish employers benchmark their offering, understand market trends, and build benefits strategies that deliver real impact. Order your copy of the guide today by filling in the form above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can the guide help my company?

The Employee Benefits Guide can enhance your company's ability to attract and retain top talent by providing a comprehensive understanding of the types of employee benefits that professionals in the UK and Ireland receive and value most. It offers data segmented by seniority and company size, enabling you to craft a competitive benefits package tailored to your workforce's specific needs. Additionally, the guide includes expert recommendations on optimising your offerings, ensuring that your company remains aligned with current trends and employee expectations. By leveraging these insights, your company can stay ahead in the competitive talent landscape and build a more satisfied and loyal workforce.
How do employer benefits impact employee satisfaction?

Employer benefits play a crucial role in shaping employee satisfaction, as they directly affect workers' overall wellbeing, sense of loyalty, and productivity levels. The Employee Benefits Guide explores how the right mix of benefits can significantly boost employee morale, reduce turnover, and create a more engaged and motivated workforce. Benefits that are thoughtfully designed to align with employees' individual needs and preferences not only enhance job satisfaction but also strengthen their emotional and professional connection to the company. By understanding these impacts, your company can effectively tailor its benefits package to foster a positive and productive work environment.
Is the Employee Benefits Guide applicable to all industries?

Yes, our exclusive guide is relevant across all industries, offering insights and data that apply to a wide range of sectors. Whether your company operates in accounting & finance, technology, or another field, the guide provides valuable information that can help you refine your benefits strategy to meet the needs of your workforce. It includes seniority and company size specific variations in benefits preferences, ensuring that the advice is both comprehensive and adaptable. By using this guide, companies in any sector can enhance their employee benefits packages, attract top talent, and retain their best employees, all while staying competitive in the evolving job market.
What makes the guide different from other resources?

The Employee Benefits Guide stands out from other resources due to its comprehensive approach, combining extensive data from a survey of over 3,100 professionals across the UK and Ireland with expert recommendations from leading HR professionals. Unlike typical reports that offer only data or general advice, this guide provides a deep dive into the benefits that employees actually receive and value most, alongside actionable insights on how to enhance your benefits package. This blend of quantitative data and qualitative expert analysis makes the guide a unique and invaluable tool for companies aiming to optimise their benefits strategy.
What are some employee benefits examples included in the guide?

The guide covers a range of benefits. Examples include financial and monetary benefits like bonuses and pension schemes, paid leave and flexible working options such as vacation days and remote work, various types of insurance including health, life, and dental coverage, and family benefits like parental leave and childcare support. Additionally, the guide explores workplace benefits related to office environment and equipment, as well as wellbeing and lifestyle perks like gym memberships and mental health support. These examples highlight the wide array of benefits that professionals value most, offering companies a framework to tailor their benefits package effectively.
Can Robert Walters assist with reviewing and enhancing our benefits package?

Yes, we can enhance your benefits package by leveraging our market intelligence services. Through a data-driven approach, they provide comprehensive salary and benefits benchmarking, ensuring your compensation packages are competitive and aligned with industry standards.

The team analyses a wide array of data sources to offer insights into salary trends, benefits preferences, and competitor strategies. This enables your company to attract and retain top talent, stay ahead of market changes, and make informed decisions that support long-term business growth. View a sample report here.

Likewise, our Ireland recruitment agency will always offer advice on compensation trends throughout the recruitment process - using real market insight to optimise your hiring. Submit a vacancy today to attract top talent.