In 2025, as competition for talent increases, knowledge of salary bonuses and benefits becomes a crucial factor in job selection. Reports TCN. This information is provided by Contracts.UA.
Legally Guaranteed Payments
The Constitution of Ukraine and labor legislation clearly define the basic payments that an employer is required to provide to an employee. These include:
- minimum wage,
- payment for downtime not caused by the employee,
- compensation for delayed payments upon termination,
- payment for overtime and public holidays,
- payment for annual leave (at least 24 calendar days),
- payment for sick leave.
It is important to note that an employee's right to these payments is guaranteed by law, and in case of violations, the employee can appeal to the court.
Additional Bonuses and Incentives in Modern Companies
Modern companies are increasingly utilizing digital HRM solutions to manage their bonus and employee motivation systems. Specifically, there are platforms that automate personnel management processes, including bonus calculations and employee performance evaluations. With such systems, employers can transparently and objectively determine which employees deserve bonuses, while employees can clearly understand the criteria for assessing their work.
According to legal advisor Inesa Letich, companies typically reserve the right to pay bonuses on a voluntary basis.
"With this approach, both the employer and the employee understand that bonuses are incentive payments, meaning the decision to pay is made based on the employee's work results and their level of work discipline. At the same time, legislation allows for stipulating in the employment contract that bonuses will be paid unconditionally, for example, for achieving certain performance indicators (KPIs)," explains Letich.
Enhanced Social Packages as a Market Standard
"Today, significant changes are occurring in the formation of social packages in the Ukrainian social services market," shared trade marketer of an international distributor, Tetiana Moiseieva. According to her analysis, the compensation and benefits system implemented by companies, reaching 72,000 UAH per year, goes beyond standard market offerings.
PR manager of a job portal, Viktoria Bilyakova, confirms the trend toward expanding social packages: "In general, the demand for bonuses and benefits in job vacancies has significantly increased after the full-scale invasion. This is due to the shortage of personnel, which is the main challenge for employers today."
She adds that companies offering remote work receive five times more responses than the average in the market. This indicates that the greatest bonus for job seekers is the opportunity to work remotely.
Flexible Working Conditions as a New Standard
In the context of a prolonged war, the Ukrainian labor market has undergone significant transformations, particularly regarding flexible employment forms. According to data from the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, 60% of employers face the problem of finding qualified employees, prompting them to implement alternative forms of employment.
"People do not need cookies or coffee in the office, but rather concrete effective bonuses, such as the opportunity to study at the company's expense, provision of equipment, compensation for learning English or pursuing hobbies. There is also a demand for benefits related to mental health: lectures from specialists, off-site retreats, meditation rooms," notes Viktoria Bilyakova.
Most Common Bonuses and Incentives in Job Vacancies
According to analytics from Work.ua, among the most popular bonuses in 2025 are:
- Health insurance – insurance packages for employees and their families.
- Tuition and professional development reimbursement – compensation for courses, training, certifications.
- Flexible working hours – the ability to adjust working hours independently.
- Additional vacation days – beyond the standard 24 days.
Since the onset of the full-scale war, employers have also begun to indicate in job vacancies the availability of shelters in the office, generators in case of power outages, and consultations with corporate psychologists for employees.
Salary is Not Everything: What Motivates Employees in 2025?
"Bonuses today are not just financial motivation but also a mechanism for retaining valuable talent. When a company has a transparent reward system, employees feel their work is valued fairly, which directly affects engagement and productivity levels," notes Inesa Letich.
The most sought-after advantages among candidates, besides salary increases, include:
- Hybrid work format.
- Reimbursement for training and hobbies.
- Additional vacation days.
"Candidates' expectations do not always align with what employers offer. However, companies that understand the needs of specialists and offer relevant benefits have a better chance of attracting and retaining top talent," remarks Viktoria Bilyakova. "We see that candidates increasingly value the possibility of flexible work, social initiatives from companies, and training as part of career development."