Employers could be wasting money on workplace perks, according to research showing that lawyers would rather receive higher salaries than other incentives.

Workplace perks were highly valued by 42.9% of legal professionals who responded to a survey by online job site CV-Library.

However, when asked to choose between perks at work and a pay rise, 93% of legal workers would opt for the money, especially in the post-Christmas months ‘when money is notoriously tight’.

More than 2,400 UK professionals took part in the survey to determine how workers feel about perks offered by their employers.

More than a quarter (28.6%) of legal professionals said they received perks at work which, according to CV-Library, is higher than the national average of 24.3%.

Free food was cited as the top perk, followed by free trips and vouchers, early finishes and ‘money savers’ such as gym membership.

CV-Library managing director Lee Biggins said: ‘When ran effectively, workplace perks can go to great lengths to creating a happy and productive workforce.

‘However, it’s important that perks aren’t used as a replacement for fair salaries and bonus schemes, especially if you’re bringing staff on board in January, when many employees experience a funding drought after the Christmas period.

‘Legal professionals have revealed that higher salaries and bonuses are more important than workplace perks, and businesses need to take this into consideration when recruiting for their vacancies.’