If you were planning to quit your job, what would it take to persuade you to stay? Better benefits? A bigger paycheck? More flexibility?

According to CareerBuilder, 39% of employers are concerned that they’ll lose top talent in 2013. While 66% of workers stated that they are generally satisfied at work, one in four (25%) said they plan to change jobs this year or next.

But it turns out employers may be able to retain those valuable workers by offering them what they want most.

CareerBuilder conducted a survey among 2,611 hiring managers and human resource professionals and 3,991 workers nationwide to find what employees value in the workplace, and what ultimately entices them to stay with their employers.

“Not recognizing what’s important to employees can translate into more job dissatisfaction, lower productivity, and higher voluntary turnover,” says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of Human Resources at CareerBuilder. “It’s critical that companies regularly take the temperature of their workplace and survey employees to identify where the company excels in providing a positive employee experience as well as opportunities to improve.”

The majority of workers (70%) reported that increasing salaries is the best way to boost employee retention, while 58% pointed to better benefits. More than half (51%) said a more flexible schedule might persuade them to stay, and 50% said an increase in employee recognition (awards, cash prizes, company trips) would do the trick.

Others said if their employer were to offer more learning opportunities or academic reimbursement, or if they implemented a casual dress code, they might be inclined to stay put.

In a separate question about benefits, 26% of workers said that providing special perks is an effective way to improve employee retention. When asked to identify perks that would make their workplace more enjoyable, 40% said half-day Fridays, 20% mentioned an on-site fitness center, and 18% liked the idea of wearing jeans to work. Others listed things like daily catered lunches, nap rooms, massages, snack carts, and on-site daycare.

One thing that wasn’t so important to employees: Job title. In another survey question, more than half (55%) of respondents said their job title isn’t an important factor in their decision to stay or go. When asked what’s more important than the job title, employees said pay, schedule flexibility, the ability to make a difference, and challenging work, among other things.

“Employees want to feel valued,” Haefner says. “They want to be compensated well; they want to be challenged; they want to contribute to something meaningful; and they want to have a good work-life balance.”

Courtesy of Jacquelyn SmithForbes Staff