A study by the IME GSEVEE titled “Meal Provision: Survey on Usage and Perceptions,” which was presented today at the GSEVEE Amphitheater. It is noteworthy that 1 in 4 employees receives a meal allowance from their employer, while more than 2 in 3 companies believe that this benefit is a factor in attracting and retaining staff.
The ability of companies to provide their employees with meal cards or meal vouchers as an additional benefit to help cover part of their dietary needs is an increasingly common practice among businesses in Greece as well.
At a time when supporting employees’ income is a priority, it is particularly interesting to examine the experiences and attitudes of both businesses and employees in our country toward the institution of meal benefits, whether in the form of meal cards or vouchers.
It is telling that today in our country, approximately one in four employees receives meal benefits from their employer, either regularly or occasionally, while the majority of employees have been receiving these benefits for more than 3 years (46.7%) or for a period of between one and three years (42.4%).
The main reasons companies provide meal benefits are to support employees’ purchasing power (62.5%), tax benefits (54.2%), retaining staff (40.0%), as well as reasons related to corporate culture and social responsibility (39.2%).
As for employees, three out of four rate meal benefits as somewhat or very important, with more than half (52.7%) believing that the amount provided allows them to spend more money on groceries.
Notably, one in two employees states that receiving the meal allowance helps reduce their stress about covering food expenses, while 55.4% also view the meal allowance as a practical solution for their daily nutrition.
At the same time, it appears to improve employee satisfaction, as the majority of companies (67.5%) believe that this benefit is a factor in attracting and retaining staff.
The survey, which describes employees’ experiences as well as the reasons why companies do not provide this benefit and the general assessment of it, indicates that the existence of additional tax incentives would lead many companies (71.3%) that do not currently provide meal benefits to their staff to reconsider their decision.
GSEVEE President George Kavvathas emphasized in his opening remarks: “Providing meals to employees is a substantial and practical form of support, especially at a time when the cost of living and food prices are placing significant strain on households. Research findings show that tax incentives can play a decisive role in encouraging more companies to offer such benefits to their staff.
These are policies that boost workers’ disposable income, improve their daily lives, and at the same time enable businesses to support their employees without an disproportionate financial burden. GSEVEE believes that any initiative that supports employees without placing new burdens on businesses is a step in the right direction and can have multiple benefits for the labor market, entrepreneurship, and the economy as a whole.”
Edenred CEO Maria Verouchi commented on the survey results, emphasizing that “employer-provided benefits are no longer simply an additional perk for employees. They are a strategic investment that enhances business competitiveness, supports employees’ disposable income, and creates broader value for the economy. The survey confirms this reality with very significant data.
In Greece, the daily tax-exempt limit for meal allowances has remained unchanged at 6 euros for the past 22 years, despite significant changes in the cost of living. At a time when increasing productivity and strengthening workers’ purchasing power are shared priorities, food allowances can play a vital role.
“We hope that the findings of this study will serve as the basis for a productive and evidence-based dialogue among the government, social partners, and the business community, with the aim of modernizing this institution.”
The results of the study were presented by George Thanopoulos, Head of the Research, Documentation, and Analysis Unit at the Institute of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (IME) of the General Confederation of Greek Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (GSEVEE), and Danae Koltsida, Research Fellow at IME GSEVEE. The event was moderated by Mr. Stamatis Vardaros, Administrative Director of the Institute of Market Research (IME) of the General Confederation of Greek Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (GSEVEE).