Majority of Romanian employers plan Christmas benefits for staff, survey shows
<p>A recent survey by eJobs and Up Romania reveals that 76% of employers in Romania plan to offer Christmas benefits to their employees this December. Among the surveyed companies, 79% intend to provide cash bonuses, while others focus on year-end team parties (40.7%), gift vouchers (33.3%), holiday-themed gift baskets (28.4%), additional days off (18.5%), and vacation vouchers (2.5%).&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, 16% of companies lack a budget for such benefits, and 8% are still undecided, the same source said.</p>

<p>“Christmas benefits, perhaps more than Easter ones, have become a tradition that employers aim to maintain, even during economically challenging years,” said Ana Călugăru, Head of Communications at eJobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to her, cash bonuses remain the primary benefit, but there’s been a rise in team parties, gift vouchers, and extra time off this year.</p>

<p>The budget allocations for Christmas benefits vary, according to the same survey. Thus, 28% of employers plan to spend between RON 200 and RON 400 per employee, 22% between RON 400-600, and another 22% over RON 1,000. Smaller proportions are allocating RON 600–800 (7%), RON 800–1,000 (7%), or RON 100–200 (6%).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Compared to previous years, more companies are increasing their Christmas budgets. Among those surveyed, 26% reported higher allocations, with 40% increasing budgets by 10–20%, 30% by over 20%, and another 30% by up to 10%.</p>

<p>Employees continue to prefer cash bonuses, cited by 90% of respondents as their top choice. Other desired benefits include additional days off, gift vouchers, vacation vouchers, and holiday-themed gift baskets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The survey, conducted in November 2024, included responses from 387 employers and 3,195 employees.</p>

<p><i>irina.marica@romania-insider.com</i></p>

<p><i>(Photo source: <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">K</a></i><em><a href="https://www.dreamstime.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">orn Vitthayanukarun/Dreamstime.com</a>)</em></p>