Social package or high salary? The study showed that IT professionals choose

Ukrainian IT companies continue to expand social packages, adding health insurance, training, sports compensation and other privileges. However, as a new study has shown, even a generous set of corporate bonuses cannot replace a competitive salary. The majority of specialists are still ready to give up part of their benefits for the sake of a higher income.

Such conclusions were shared by DOU analysts who interviewed 10,644 Ukrainian IT specialists as part of the winter market research.

Remote work remains the main advantage

The most common element of the social package in the Ukrainian IT industry remains the ability to work completely remotely. 69% of employers offer this format.

Paid vacation remains an equally popular benefit. Almost two-thirds of professionals reported that they can count on at least 20 paid vacation days annually.

In third place is health insurance, which today is provided by almost half of the companies.

In addition, employers actively use other ways to increase the attractiveness of vacancies. Among the most popular bonuses:

• corporate events and team building — 42%;
• paid English language courses – 39%;
• holiday gifts for employees – 38%;
• hybrid work format – 36%;
• flexible schedule without strict binding to working hours – 35%.

All these advantages are gradually becoming the standard of major market players.

Companies are increasingly investing in the health of employees

Caring for the physical and psychological condition of employees is gradually becoming a mandatory part of corporate culture.

In addition to classic health insurance, 27% of employers compensate the costs of sports clubs or fitness, and 22% have introduced psychological support programs and services to preserve mental health.

At the same time, more expensive types of social guarantees are still rare. Only a few companies pay for employees’ relatives, provide a corporate doctor or take out life insurance.

Training has become one of the main tools for retaining specialists

IT companies continue to actively invest in the development of their employees.

The most common practice is to pay for English language courses, since mastering a foreign language affects the possibility of working with foreign customers.

In addition, employers organize internal educational programs, develop a mentoring institute, pay for external courses and professional certifications, helping employees to improve their skills faster and build a career within the company.

Not everyone receives monetary bonuses

Despite the high level of competition for specialists, additional financial payments are not available to everyone.

According to the study, 28% of companies compensate for the purchase of machinery or equipment for work, and 24% pay bonuses to employees who refer new candidates.

Some employers also award bonuses for high results, congratulate employees with cash payments for personal holidays, or use a system of regular bonuses.

However, 40% of the study participants admitted that they do not receive any additional material compensation at all, apart from the basic salary.

The war changed the content of social packages

In recent years, a separate block of benefits related to full-scale war has appeared in corporate programs.

About 40% of IT companies regularly conduct charity initiatives and organize meetings in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Every fourth employer guarantees job retention to employees who have been mobilized.

Another 18% of companies continue to pay them full or partial salary or other compensation during their service.

What experts themselves consider most valuable

Despite the large number of different benefits, only 49% of respondents are completely satisfied with their social security package.

The highest level of satisfaction was recorded among employees of large companies with more than 200 employees. In smaller organizations and the public sector, estimates are much lower.

When experts were asked to name the most important elements of the social package, the leaders were not corporate events or gifts.

In the first place was flexibility – the ability to independently choose the place of work and the schedule. This option was emphasized by 60% of the study participants.

This is followed by paid vacation and sick days (57%), cash bonuses (49%), medical programs and health support (37%), modern work equipment (35%) and training opportunities (32%).

For Ukrainian men, reservation from mobilization has acquired a special value. In general, this item is considered important by 28% of respondents, and among those who have already received armor, it was the employer’s greatest advantage.

A high salary still trumps any benefits

Despite the development of corporate programs, it is the level of profit that remains the main factor when choosing an employer.

Almost half of the participants in the study (44%) said that they would prefer a salary increase of about 30%, even if the company completely abandons the social package.

Another 25% are ready to agree only to a minimum set of benefits on the condition that wages increase by 15–20%.

The results of the study show that modern IT companies no longer compete solely on the size of salaries — they try to create the most comfortable working environment. However, for most professionals, corporate bonuses remain a pleasant addition, while the key criterion when choosing an employer, as before, remains a decent level of remuneration.