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Employees working at senior management level enjoy more perks than their higher-ranking colleagues, according to a new report from Croner, part of Wolters Kluwer UK.

Final salary scheme

The latest Employee Benefits report by Croner Reward shows that it pays to be in senior management as they work anything up to 12.5 hours less than directors and operative staff but gain more in benefits.

Croner’s findings show that 80 per cent of managers of large-sized companies get a company car with a list price average of £25,525, two per cent longer service holiday increment than operative staff, £1 more for breakfast, £5 more for dinner and £18 more for overnight business trips.

Furthermore, 72 per cent are in a final salary scheme as opposed to 49 per cent and 39 per cent of directors and operatives respectively.

Another benefit for senior management is that they pay less in tax than their directors possibly resulting in better overall salaries and pensions – depending on personal circumstances and the levels of salary involved.

Fringe benefits

Andrew Walker, business director with Croner Reward, says that the results are in line with the patterns that seen across terms and conditions generally.

"Directors are in reality working longer hours than their colleagues at manager level, yet they are in turn receiving less in benefits. So while managers are contracted to work fewer hours and are generally getting more holiday entitlement than their colleagues at different levels, they do seem to be gaining in terms of a range of other fringe benefits," he added.

Walker warned that it will take a number of years to see whether this is a long-term trend or just part of the changing dynamics in the workplace.

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Related links 

• Croner Reward