With so much talk about healthcare reform, companies are searching for ways to provide unique and quality benefits to new and existing employees. Standing out from the corporate crowd of 401k’s and Flexible Spending Accounts is actually easier than you think—and far less expensive.
- Yoga classes. This isn’t the stretch you think it is! Hire a local yoga instructor to host a company class once or twice a week. By bringing the instructor right to your employees, you can encourage healthy habits, decreased stress, and show that you are willing to invest in their overall health.
- Community service days. Some paying-it-forward thinking companies give employees one or two paid days each year to participate in community or charitable activities that they are passionate about. Reaching out to the surrounding community has other great benefits, too—it tells the world you are a great company to work for.
- Bagel Mondays. Everybody loves free food, and it doesn’t matter what day of the week it falls on, how often it happens, or even how delicious it is.
- Movie days. When your team meets a deadline, hits a goal, or has just been working hard and steadily, reward them with a group movie outing or movie passes. It’s all in the act of appreciation; employees will work longer and harder if they know someone is noticing.
- Free car washes. Car wash coupons are easy to come by, and a small investment to help motivate and reward employees. This could extend to restaurant gift cards, coffee gift cards, and dry cleaning vouchers.
- Employee discounts. If you don’t already give your employees a discount on your products or services, it’s something to consider. Standard employee discounts range from 20-30%.
- Free seminars. In an effort to promote themselves, professionals will often speak to groups of employees for free about their industry or the services they provide. Financial planners, insurance agents, and counselors are a great source for these.
The important thing to remember when researching or considering a worthy perk is to make sure it matches your company culture, the expressed needs of the employees, and the impact it will have on your company goals. It’s also important to remember that a benefit’s value isn’t determined by how much it cost the company, but how thoughtful it was to the employee.