Flexible perks | What critical benefits & rewards strategies are HR professionals prioritising in 2025?

2025 looks like the kind of year that will see the blood pressure of even the most level-headed HR director or benefits manager surging to new heights.

At the top of the list of ‘priorities’ is planning for the raft of new legislation set to come into effect, including the Employment Rights Bill (expected in April 2025) and further regulatory changes such as a new pensions bill in the pipeline.

Most will have to navigate rising costs brought about by the rise in National Insurance contributions and National Minimum Wage (did someone say salary sacrifice schemes?), while also needing to strengthen benefits such as parental and carers’ leave, sick leave, and flexible working arrangements. Expansions to pay gap reporting beyond gender to include ethnicity and disability also add significant layers of complexity.

Not to be outdone, employees will also pull punches as they continue to increase their demands—compelling employee value propositions are non-negotiable to attract and retain critical skills and talent.