It is NO secret that the talent market is competitive and dare I say, hostile.
It’s a race on who offers the coolest and most Instagram worthy company perks to their employees. Employers are inundated with data on what other companies are doing and constantly asking themselves, should we do this too?
Fear NOT because there’s a solution here. You see, the race to “all our employees get a Peleton!” is a big misconception. Mostly because Peleton’s don’t actually go anywhere… it’s a stationary bike, duh!
But also because research shows what employees in 2022 ACTUALLY want:
- Flexible options when it comes to location and schedule
- They want to be rated on outcomes rather than outputs (results over hours worked)
- Diversity in team
Employee perks can help you meet those three fundamental needs and create a work environment that people want to be part of.
What are Company Perks?
Perks are non-wage offerings that extend beyond salary and benefits (such as retirement accounts, health care, dental or vision packages). Also called fringe benefits, they are an important component of your company culture.
Employee perks don’t have a direct impact on engagement. However, when planned strategically, they can support your engagement initiatives by reinforcing your company values and culture and building an employer brand that attracts and retains talent.
Below we will cover 40 employee perk ideas that can help you boost employee satisfaction and create a culture of high engagement.
Health and Wellness
Work-related stress costs U.S. companies $30 billion a year in lost productivity due to sick days and absenteeism. Promote your employees’ wellbeing through health and wellness programs and perks at work.
1. Healthy breakroom snacks or snack delivery service for remote workers
2. Third-party food delivery gift cards (DoorDash, GrubHub, etc)
3. Fitness reimbursement (gyms, apps, equipment)
4. Mandatory vacation
5. Meditation app reimbursement
6. Standing desks (or convertible options)
7. Ergonomic desk accessories (like chairs and keyboards)
8. Regular wellness check-ins from upper management
9. Company fun runs or hikes
10. Partner with nutrition specialists to sponsor nutrition programs and workshops
Family
Family-centered perks are a great way to attract and retain employees, especially those who are parents. According to the SHRM 2019 Employee Benefits Survey, one out of five organizations reported offering family leave, paid or unpaid, beyond what is required by both the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and state mandates.
In other words, as family perks become increasingly important to employees, companies have a great opportunity to set themselves apart from the competition.
11. Paid paternity leave
12. Paid maternity leave beyond 8 weeks
13. Dedicated mother’s rooms for nursing moms (this is required in some states)
14. Retirement savings program (comparable to a 401k)
15. Pet insurance
16. Flexible hours
17. Remote or work from home options
18. Onsite daycare or child-care reimbursement
19. New parent welcome back package
20. Company events for employees and their families
21. College scholarship or savings program
22. Free park or museum passes for employees and their families
Community
More than half of 1,514 millennials employed in the U.S. said a company’s charitable work influenced them to accept a job offer. This rising generation of employees value companies that give back and help their employees to make an impact too.
Show you care through community-minded perks such as:
23. Time off for volunteering
24. Company days of service
25. Charity donation matching
26. Company-sponsored charity events
27. Charitable drives such as toys, clothing, shoes, socks, blankets, houseware, etc.
Team Environment
28. Designated “dress” days (crazy hat, crazy sock, sports, etc)
29. Talent showcase (think talent show, but for work)
30. Team competitions like scavenger hunts, idea pitches, and cook-off
31. Company retreats
32. Bring your pet to work days (or show your pet if remote)
33. Snow days (heat days if you don’t have snow)
34. Employee of the month
35. Co-worker acknowledgement program
Employee Development
According to Gallup, 87% of millennials (who make up the largest generational group of employees today) cited professional development and career growth as important factors when considering a job offer. Plus 68% of millennials who feel they have had opportunities at work to learn and grow in the past year plan to be with their organization for at least another year.
36. Mentor program
37. Paid sabbaticals
38. Tuition reimbursement
39. Office library
40. Lunch and learns
41. Stipends for certifications and employee development
42. Paid memberships to professional organizations
43. Professional recognition events
44. Sponsored travel to industry conferences
Align Your Perks to Your Mission and Values
At the end of the day, the perks you choose to offer your employees should align with your organization’s values and mission. Be strategic in what you offer so you can cultivate a culture that supports employees’ needs and creates an environment that helps them be their happiest and most productive.
Not sure what your employees would respond to most? Ask them!
Take advantage of employee surveys and polls to understand what things your employees value most and what perks would be most meaningful to them. When you are strategic in your approach and responsive to employee feedback, your employer brand will be stronger and employees will feel heard and valued at work.
Pick up our Prepare to Win: HR and Employee Buildout for StartUps Guide for our complete Paid Time Off recommendations.
