Employers are increasingly using health and wellbeing benefits as a tool to attract top HR candidates, rather than offering higher salaries, according to the latest figures from the 2007 Hudson Human Resources Salary Survey. 

The report reveals that while the market for positions in HR, learning and development, and recruitment has remained buoyant, employers are acknowledging that good salaries alone are no longer sufficient to secure and retain the best talent. Salaries have risen at all levels across the 14 industry sectors covered by Hudson’s survey, but the rate of increase has not been dramatic during the last 12 months.

Instead, health benefits have become a crucial differentiator between firms vying to close critical skills gaps. It found that 77% of employers now offer private medical insurance and 66% are offering Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay. Life Assurance is set to become ubiquitous, with 85% of firms now offering it to their staff. 

Mark Carriban, UK director of Hudson’s HR recruitment practice, says: “Health benefits in particular represent a competitive new front in the war for talent. This has been reflected at all levels and, looking ahead to 2008, we anticipate them continuing to play a key part in how HR professionals are recruited and retained.”