Gain a deep understanding of the diverse employee benefits landscape in India.
Home / Health Insurance / Group Health Insurance / Guide to employee benefits in India
Employee benefits are crucial in attracting, retaining, and motivating employees in India's competitive job market. Benefits can include statutory benefits like provident fund, gratuity, and employee state insurance, as well as health and wellness benefits, retirement benefits, leave benefits, and other benefits like transport allowance or childcare assistance. In this guide to employee benefits in India, we'll explore the different types of employee benefits offered in India and their significance.
Some of the common statutory benefits offered by Indian companies include the following.
This is a retirement savings scheme that is mandatory for all employees earning a salary up to a certain limit. Both the employee and employer contribute a portion of the employee's salary towards the fund, which can be withdrawn by the employee at retirement.
This is a health insurance scheme that provides medical and financial assistance to employees and their dependents in case of illness, injury, or disability.
This is a monetary benefit paid to employees who have completed a certain period of service with the company. It is usually calculated as a percentage of the employee's last drawn salary and is paid out at the time of retirement or resignation.
Female employees are entitled to a paid leave of 26 weeks in case of pregnancy, childbirth, or miscarriage.
Companies are required to pay a minimum bonus of around 8.33% of the employee's annual salary, subject to certain conditions.
Companies are required to pay their employees a minimum wage as prescribed by the government, based on the employee's skills and qualifications.
Employees are entitled to a certain number of paid leave days every year, including casual leave, sick leave, and earned leave.
Indian companies offer a wide range of health and wellness benefits to their employees. Some of the common benefits include the following.
Many Indian companies provide health insurance to their employees, which covers medical expenses, hospitalisation costs, and other health-related expenses.
Companies in India often organise wellness programs to promote physical and mental well-being among employees. These programs can include yoga classes, meditation sessions, and health check-ups
Some Indian companies offer gym memberships to their employees, which can help them stay fit and healthy.
Many Indian companies promote work-life balance by offering flexible working hours, remote work options, and paid time off for vacations and personal days.
Some companies provide employee assistance programs that offer confidential counselling and support services to employees dealing with personal or work-related issues.
Many Indian companies offer healthy food options in their cafeterias or provide healthy snacks to employees, which can help promote a healthy lifestyle.
In India, companies are required to provide retirement benefits to their employees as per the guidelines of the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) and the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Here are some of the retirement benefits offered by Indian companies.
Provident Fund (PF): A portion of the employee's base salary is deposited into the Provident Fund by both the employer and the employee. This amount grows with interest and can be withdrawn at the time of retirement.
Gratuity: Gratuity is a lump sum amount paid by the employer to the employee as a token of appreciation for the services rendered by the employee. Gratuity is payable only to those employees who have completed at least five years of continuous service with the employer.
Pension: Employers can provide a pension scheme to their employees. Under this scheme, the employee receives a regular pension after retirement.
Superannuation: Employers can also provide a superannuation scheme to their employees. Under this scheme, the employer contributes a certain amount towards a retirement fund for the employee, which grows with interest and can be withdrawn at the time of retirement.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Employers can also provide ESOPs to their employees, which allow employees to own a stake in the company. This can provide a source of income after retirement if the company performs well.
In India, companies are mandated by law to provide certain leave benefits to their employees. They include the following.
Annual leave: Employees are entitled to at least 21 days of paid annual leave in a year. Some companies may offer more than this as a part of their employee benefits package.
Sick leave: Employers must provide paid sick leave of up to 12 days in a year to employees.
Maternity leave: Female employees are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, out of which up to eight weeks can be taken before the expected delivery date. The employer must provide this leave with full pay.
Paternity leave: Male employees are entitled to paternity leave of up to 15 days. Some companies may offer more than this as a part of their employee benefits package.
Casual leave: Employers may offer casual leave to employees for short-term absences, such as for personal or urgent reasons. The number of days and whether it is paid or unpaid is up to the discretion of the employer.
Compensatory leave: Employees who work on a public holiday may be entitled to a compensatory leave day, which is granted in lieu of the public holiday.
Bereavement leave: Employers may offer bereavement leave to employees in the event of the death of an immediate family member. The number of days and whether it is paid or unpaid is up to the discretion of the employer.
In addition to statutory benefits, health and wellness benefits, retirement benefits, and leave benefits, employers in India can offer a variety of other benefits to attract and retain employees. These benefits can vary from company to company, and can be customised to suit the needs of different employee groups. Here are some examples of other employee benefits that companies in India may offer.
Many companies provide employees with a transport allowance to cover the cost of commuting to and from work. This can include reimbursement for fuel, public transport fares, or even company-provided transport.
Some employers provide employees with a meal allowance to cover the cost of meals during working hours. This can be particularly useful for employees who work long shifts or work in locations where there are few options for purchasing food.
Offering flexible working hours can be a valuable benefit for employees who have family responsibilities or other commitments outside of work. This can include the ability to work from home, job-sharing arrangements, or the option to work part-time.
Many employers in India recognise the importance of helping employees balance their work and family responsibilities. One way they do this is by offering childcare assistance, such as subsidised daycare facilities, creche facilities, or reimbursement for childcare expenses.
EAPs are designed to support employees who are facing personal or work-related problems. They can include services such as counselling, financial advice, legal advice, or career development support.
Employers may offer incentives to employees who refer qualified candidates for job openings within the company. This can be a cost-effective way to recruit new employees and can also help to improve employee engagement and retention.
Employee benefits are a crucial part of attracting, retaining, and motivating employees in India. This guide has explored the different types of employee benefits, including statutory benefits, health and wellness benefits, retirement benefits, leave benefits, and other employee benefits. It's important for companies to tailor their benefits to suit the needs and preferences of different employee groups and the company's budget and strategic goals. Providing a strong benefits package can lead to improvements in employee engagement, retention, and job satisfaction, and we recommend that employers in India take the time to review and improve their benefits packages.
Employee benefits are non-wage compensation provided to employees in addition to their regular salary or wages. Benefits can include things like health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other perks.
Employee benefits are essential for attracting and retaining employees. In a competitive job market, offering comprehensive benefits can make a company more attractive to job seekers and can also help to improve employee satisfaction and retention.
Statutory benefits in India include provident fund, gratuity, employee state insurance, and maternity leave.
Health and wellness benefits are benefits that promote the physical and mental well-being of employees. Examples include health insurance, wellness programs, and employee assistance programs.
Retirement benefits are benefits that help employees save for retirement. Examples include pension plans, employee provident fund, and gratuity.
Leave benefits are benefits that provide employees with paid time off from work. Examples include annual leave, sick leave, and maternity leave.
Employers should consider the needs and preferences of their employees, as well as the company's budget and strategic goals when deciding which benefits to offer. It's also essential to stay up to date on any changes to labour laws and regulations related to employee benefits.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making any related decisions.