You’ve heard the phrase, ‘happy wife, happy life.’ Well, in business, ‘happy employee, thriving company.’ Employees are your organization’s backbone, so it is crucial to explore strategies that encourage their long-term commitment. If you’re looking for ways to boost employee satisfaction and loyalty, consider incorporating these five best company perks that keep employees happy and motivated into your workplace culture.
What Are Company Perks and Benefits?
Company perks are additional benefits offered to employees beyond their regular salary. They play a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent.
Why Are Company Perks Crucial for Business?
- Enhance Employee Satisfaction: Perks contribute to a positive work environment, making employees feel valued.
- Boost Productivity: Happy employees are often more engaged and motivated to perform at their best.
- Promote Work-Life Balance: Many perks focus on effectively helping employees manage their personal and professional lives.
5 Company Perks That Keep Employees Happy
1. Catering Healthy Lunches
Healthy employees create a healthy working environment, so add corporate lunch catering to your company’s perks and benefits.
Catering services can deliver healthy dishes that help sustain energy levels and refresh your team throughout the day.
For example, a delicious and nutritious lunch option could be a hearty salad featuring avocado, farro, and grilled chicken—perfect for enhancing their experience in a cool job environment.
2. Gym Membership
Gym memberships are a fantastic new job perk that can significantly contribute to keeping employees happy and promoting healthy living.
Many recognize the importance of work-life balance and staying fit, and offering a gym membership can encourage them to prioritize their wellness.
Remember, healthy employees are less likely to take sick days and are generally more productive, making this an invaluable addition to your benefits package.
3. Subsidized Education
Most employees seek opportunities for learning and growth within their workplace. To support this ambition, consider offering advanced company perks like subsidized education and access to the best corporate training LMS. By providing free training programs or covering part, if not all, of their education-related fees, you can empower your team to develop critical skills and acquire new knowledge.
This investment enhances their capabilities and ensures they remain valuable assets to your organization while also streamlining the training process for both employees and management
4. Health Insurance Options
It may shock you, but not all companies offer healthcare support to their workers. To ensure your employees are happy and have peace of mind, consider offering comprehensive healthcare benefits as one of your unique company perks.
Providing options like a group medical insurance plan can significantly alleviate healthcare costs for your team.
Typically, these plans cover essential services such as emergency care and visits to primary care physicians, making them a vital component of the best employee benefits package.
5. Onsite Childcare
One effective way to keep employees happy in the workplace is to offer onsite childcare as a valuable job perk. This can significantly relieve parents' stress, saving them time and money.
When convenient childcare options are lacking, employees often leave work early, impacting productivity.
However, by providing onsite childcare, you give them peace of mind knowing their children are nearby, allowing them to focus on their work and stay longer when needed.
Best Company Perks Examples
What company has the best employee perks? Here are some standout examples:
Google Company Perks
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.
- Onsite Clinics: Access to onsite physicians and nurses.
- Mental Health Support: Counseling services and mental health resources.
- Fitness: Onsite fitness centers and classes.
Family and Parenting
- Parental Leave: Generous maternity and paternity leave policies.
- Fertility Assistance: Coverage for fertility treatments and consultations.
- Adoption Assistance: Financial support for adoption-related expenses.
- Baby Bonding Bucks: Financial support for new parents.
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Options for remote work and flexible schedules.
- Paid Time Off: Vacation days, sick leave, and holidays.
- Sabbaticals: Extended leave options for long-term employees.
Financial and Retirement
- 401(k) Plan: Retirement savings plan with company match.
- Student Loan Repayment: Assistance with student loan repayments.
- Relocation Bonus: Financial support for relocating employees.
Perks and Discounts
- Free Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided at some locations.
- Snacks and Drinks: Free snacks and beverages are available onsite.
- Onsite Services: Laundry, massage, and haircuts.
- Travel Insurance: Coverage for personal travel.
Professional Development
- Tuition Reimbursement: Financial support for further education.
- Training Programs: Access to various professional development courses and workshops.
Miscellaneous
- Nap Pods: Spaces for employees to rest and recharge.
- Game Rooms: Areas with video games, ping pong, and other recreational activities.
- Hybrid Car Subsidies: Financial incentives for eco-friendly transportation
Tech Company Perks
Many tech companies are setting the standard for advanced company perks for employees. Here are three examples:
- Netflix: Offers unlimited parental leave and encourages employees to fully utilize their vacation time.
- Facebook (Meta): Provides a family-first approach with paid time off for new parents and wellness allowances.
- HubSpot: Features unlimited holidays and supports education through tuition reimbursement.
Management Skills to Keep Employees Happy
To effectively implement these best company perks, management should focus on developing essential skills:
- Empathy: Understand employee needs and tailor perks accordingly.
- Communication: Clearly convey available benefits and how they can enhance employee wellbeing.
- Flexibility: Be open to feedback and willing to adapt perks to better suit your team.
How to Keep Employees Happy While Working From Home
While traditional office perks may not be as accessible, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to keep your remote team motivated and satisfied. Here are some company perks ideas to consider:
Encourage Breaks and Wellness
- Virtual Fitness Classes: Partner with a fitness instructor to lead online yoga, meditation, or workout sessions.
- Wellness Challenges: Organize friendly competitions around step counts, water intake, or other healthy habits.
- Wellness Stipends: Provide a monthly allowance for employees to spend on wellness activities or equipment.
Foster Social Connection
- Virtual Happy Hours: Schedule regular video calls for casual conversation and team bonding.
- Online Book Club: Start a club where employees can discuss books, articles, or podcasts.
- Peer Recognition: Implement a system for employees to recognize and appreciate each other’s contributions.
Support Professional Development
- Online Courses: Offer subscriptions to learning platforms like Udemy or Coursera.
- Mentorship Program: Pair employees with experienced mentors for guidance and support.
- Conference Stipends: Provide funds for employees to attend virtual conferences or workshops.
Celebrate Milestones
- Virtual Birthday Celebrations: Send employees a cake or gift card on their special day.
- Work Anniversary Gifts: Recognize long-standing employees with thoughtful gifts or handwritten notes.
- Milestone Achievements: Celebrate team and individual accomplishments, no matter how small.
Unique Company Perks Examples
Finding unique company perks can be a game-changer in keeping employees happy. Creative benefits enhance job satisfaction and foster a strong sense of community.
1. Pet-Friendly Policies
- Allow employees to bring their pets to the office.
- Offer pet insurance as part of the benefits package.
2. Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Trust employees to manage their time effectively.
- Encourage a healthy work-life balance.
3. Personal Development Stipends
- Provide funds for hobbies, classes, or courses outside of work.
- Support personal growth and creativity.
4. Wellness Retreats
- Organize annual retreats focused on relaxation and team bonding.
- Include activities like yoga, meditation, and nature hikes.
5. Volunteer Time Off
- Give employees paid time off to volunteer for causes they care about.
- Foster a sense of purpose and community involvement.
6. Onsite Services
- Offer services like massage therapy, haircuts, or dry cleaning.
- Make life easier for employees during their busy workdays.
7. Heartbreak Leave
- Provide paid time off for employees dealing with the emotional turmoil of a breakup.
- Offer varying leave periods based on age, with longer leaves for older employees navigating complex situations.
Keep Employees Happy Quote
“Happy employees lead to happy customers.” – Tony Hsieh“Take care of your employees; they’ll take care of your business.” – Richard Branson
“A company is only as good as its people.” – Mary Kay Ash
“To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace”. – Doug Conant
“Employees who believe that management is concerned about them are more productiv”.– Anne M. Mulcahy
What truly makes employees happy?
While individuals may have unique preferences, several factors consistently contribute to employee satisfaction. Creating a happy workplace involves promoting work-life balance, providing meaningful work, fostering positive relationships, recognizing contributions, and offering growth opportunities.By focusing on these elements, companies can cultivate an environment where employees feel fulfilled, motivated, and ready to contribute their best efforts. When you have a happy worker, your bottom line gets better.
What do you do to make your employees happy? What company perks would make you want to stay if you were an employee?
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