New research shows what benefits matter the most to potential IT employees – and the results are good news for employers.

A recent study was conducted by PROTECH, a technology staffing firm, asking tech employees to name the most important benefit a past or present employer had offered to them.

The result: 23% each listed flex-time and the ability to telecommute as the number one. Not far behind was training, which was put at the top by 21% of the respondents. On the other hand, 18% each listed bonuses and paid expenses.

Why did flex-time and telework reach the top? It could that people just value their time, or it could be that the price of fuel has given those things a real dollars and cents value these days.

Either way, it’s good news for employers since those benefits are virtually cost-free. And training is a good option for companies, too, because it can also solve the problem of skills deficits.

Tags: benefits, flex-time, Telecommuting