Dive Brief:

• Flexible schedules are a leading priority for tech employees, ranking just after competitive pay and benefits, according to a recent study from EY and a June survey from CompTIA.

• Remote work options are also high on the list, according to a Stack Overflow developer survey, while wellness and self-care allowances ranked closely behind, according to a round-up of tech employee desires by Tech Republic.

• "Employers must offer flex schedules and the ability to work remotely in order to remain competitive," Alena Reva, vice president of HR at Kaspersky Lab North America told Tech Republic. "If these options don't exist, candidates will immediately choose another company as their preferred workplace."

Dive Insight:

CIOs often face pressure points in the enterprise, and many of them stem from gaps in personnel. Not only is it a challenge to retain current staff members, but organizations also struggle to find skilled IT professionals who can help advance the business.

But surveys indicate throwing more money at employees is not only expensive, but not necessarily the most effective strategy. Good money is fine, but many tech employees find other things, like general flexibility and being able to work where they want, just as important.

Some companies even go so far as to help pay for employee vacations, according to Tech Republic. On the surface this may seem lavish, but well-rested employees are proven to be more productive.