Research shows that benefits are one of the top ways companies try to attract and retain employees. And with the right approach, this really works.
Traditional benefits, like health insurance and retirement packages, still matter to lots of employees. But unique employee benefits are becoming a bigger way to stay competitive and get the top talent to stick with you.
With a bit of creativity, you can create perks that your employees will love without spending a lot. Wondering which job benefits you should add to your company package? Here are some of our favorite ideas for office perks — keep reading to learn how to make your employees happier!
1. Office “Chill Zones”
If every square inch of your office is stark and primed for productivity, you could actually be harming your employees’ ability to get creative.
Sometimes, retreating into a more laidback space for an informal meeting or a brainstorm session helps spark better work. These “chill zones” also offer more pleasant areas for employees to take their breaks.
Relaxation promotes good ideas and good work. You shouldn’t expect your employees to work like drones for eight hours straight. Instead, provide spaces where they can maximize the benefits of downtime at work.
You can also offer coffee services or snacks to make the chill zone even more appealing — read more here.
2. Flex Hours
Do your employees really need to be in the office for a set number of hours? Or would they do better with flexible hours?
Some companies have found success by allowing employees to choose when they come in and when they leave. You could even release your employees from the constraints of an eight-hour day. Instead, let them come in when they’re ready to work and leave when their work is done.
This can boost productivity by letting your employees work during the hours when they’re most alert and focused. It also helps employees stay focused on getting their work done, instead of just watching the clock at work.
3. Remote Work
Another way to get more productivity from your workers is to allow remote work some of the time — or all of the time.
Many office jobs no longer need to get done in the office. Working from home at least part of the time does a lot to boost employee morale. It also makes it much easier for your existing employees to stick with the job even after they have kids.
With remote work, you can even grow your team without paying for a bigger office. It can save you money in the long run, and often increases turnaround time for work. When people don’t have to struggle with a daily commute, they have more time and energy to focus on their jobs.
4. Family Perks
If you extend company perks to the rest of the family, you’ll find that your employees are much more likely to stick with the job.
This can mean much more than just adding spouses to your company insurance plan. You might off fresh take-home meal options for your hardworking employees, so the person at home doesn’t always have to cook.
Or you could give gifts such as tickets to a local play or a gift certificate to a local restaurant. This encourages your workers to share the benefits of their labor with their family.
Get creative and think of new ways to support your employees’ families. When you show that you care about the people behind your team, your employees won’t want to leave anytime soon.
5. Pet Support
For some people, pets are an important part of the family. You can also keep your employees happier with unique employee benefits for pets.
At some companies, this might look like letting people bring their pets to work. At other companies, this could mean providing pet insurance plans to your workers. This improves the lives of their workers in ways that many other companies don’t, making them less likely to think about leaving.
6. Private Space
If your employees absolutely have to be in the office to work, the least you could do is offer them private space to get it done.
The open-office plan can make work more stressful and hinder productivity for many people. Lots of workers do their best when they can work quietly, without interruptions. But an open office makes finding that uninterrupted quiet time nearly impossible.
Offer private workspaces for as many people as you can. If you have limited private spaces, you could let people sign up to use them ahead of time. That way, people can plan ahead to have quiet work time when they need to get their most important projects done.
7. Better Meetings
Meetings in the middle of the day are another way work gets interrupted.
It’s always good to streamline your meetings to just the people who absolutely need to be there. Schedule them where there are natural breaks in the day, such as right before or after lunch, so you’re not interrupting someone in the middle of their workflow.
You can also reconsider where you have your meetings. Maybe a walk in the park, or a trip to a local restaurant, will make for a better meeting than a stuffy office.
8. More Time Off
Adding more time off is always a great way to make your employees happy.
Today, many companies are giving the unlimited time off option. This means employees can take as many days off as they need, as long as they’re still getting their work done. The more flexibility you can give, the better your workers’ quality of life will be.
Which Unique Employee Benefits Will You Offer?
These unique employee benefits are great for both companies and workers, but you don’t have to stop there. Use these ideas to springboard your own creative ideas for benefits.
Offering great benefits doesn’t mean offering the most expensive perks, like catered meals and in-office gyms. Instead, it means offering the small things, like flexible hours, that help people keep a healthy work-life balance.
Looking for more ways to make your workplace happier? Don’t miss these tips!
