We have another great article from Daisy Jones. She has so many great ideas.
Creative Benefits to Offer Your Employees for Improved Workplace Moral
Today’s employees are seeking so much more in a full-time job than health insurance coverage and other mandatory benefits like family and medical leave, workers’ compensation, and unemployment insurance. Rather, Forbes says today’s employees desire the ability to work flexible hours, call it quits early on Fridays, and ditch the five-day workweek for four longer days. Also topping the list of desired employee benefits includes paid mental health days, paid miscarriage leave, and employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Of course, there are numerous other benefits you can offer to attract and retain top talent, boost employee morale, and increase workplace productivity. Here are a few creative options, presented below from https://safestbaby.org/.
Physical and Mental Wellness Benefits
In the wake of COVID-19, many employees could benefit from corporate wellness programs that offer mental health support, onsite yoga classes, health and wellness coaching, and physical activities. Some corporate wellness packages include these types of benefits, as well as vaccination clinics, smoking cessation and weight loss programs, nutrition education, and health screenings.
In addition to improving the physical and mental health of your team, corporate wellness programs help to reduce absenteeism, increase workplace productivity, and improve employee morale. Some other creative wellness benefits you could offer your employees include:
- Onsite saunas and massages.
- Paid sabbaticals.
- Help with household chores like laundry and cleaning.
- Paid date nights with spouses.
- Pet-friendly workplaces.
- Volunteer time off (VTO).
- Bike-sharing programs.
Education and Tuition Reimbursement
Like offering wellness benefits, reimbursing employees for college courses could help businesses to attract and retain quality workers, as well as keep them engaged. Additionally, this type of reimbursement can also help you qualify for tax breaks. Typically, employers offering this type of benefit reimburse workers for any relevant courses they take, or they pay colleges directly for the courses their workers enroll in. Tuition reimbursement programs may or may not cover the cost of books, technology, and other education expenses.
For example, employers can cover the tuition expenses of their employees who enroll in a bachelor of science in education or a business degree. This can be a great way to ensure that workers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their job roles effectively. With an online education degree, your employees would develop skills in ethical practice and learner development. Meanwhile, a business degree would equip your workers with the knowledge they need to lead and manage others. Plus, online degree programs are flexible and less likely to interfere with employee responsibilities at work and at home.
Remote Work Arrangements
After so much of the world adapted to working from home during the pandemic, a recent Gallup survey found that only six percent of employees had the desire to work entirely onsite. About 34 percent would prefer to permanently work from home, while 60 percent desire hybrid work arrangements. As such, offering your employees remote work arrangements could increase worker retention and engagement, prevent employee burnout, and boost worker performance.
That said, remote work doesn’t have to mean working from home. Take your employee benefits one step further by encouraging your employees to travel and work from anywhere in the world. Some remote-friendly companies (like Airbnb and Evernote) are going as far as paying for all or part of their employee’s annual vacations!
Attract and Retain Your Talent with Stellar Employee Benefits
If you’re looking to attract the best talent, retain employees for the long haul, and ensure your team delivers great results each day, it’s time to modernize your employee benefits. By offering physical and mental wellness programs, online college tuition assistance or reimbursement, and other perks like flexible work arrangements, your employees will be so much more likely to stick around for the long haul. These creative benefits motivate your workers to do their very best while also helping them to achieve a healthier work-life balance.
Daisy Jones is a stay-at-home mom, marketing professional, and founder of SafestBaby.org – an online resource for parents of all ages. With her own experience of raising three children alongside her husband in Oklahoma City, Daisy has dedicated her time to helping other moms and dads make the most out of their parenting journey.
