The job and recruiting site Glassdoor’s 2015 Employment Confidence Survey reports that nearly 80% of employees would choose a good benefits package over a pay rise, with 60% considering benefits a major factor in whether they would accept a job offer. 

Offering tempting benefits is especially important in the optometry profession, which has a high vacancy rate and can struggle to recruit, particularly in the east and south-east of England, as well as more rural areas. A report by Indeed found that 68.8% of optometrist postings stayed vacant for at least 60 days, ahead of solicitors and surgeons. But it is clear that both multiples and independents are becoming more creative when seeking to recruit and retain staff.