Perks are a great way to show appreciation for your employees. And when done right they can improve the daily workings and future successes of your company--and make it an even more desirable place to work amongst the hordes of companies that are and will soon be hiring.
Here are some of our favorite, happiest ways to pique your team’s interest, boost company productivity and attract more hires eager to invest in their futures (and yours).
Lunch & Learns
Albert Einstein said a lot of good things, this great quote not withstanding: “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” Continuing education opportunities are a valuable asset for any employee. And Lunch & Learns are a great way to optimize the hours in the workday, treat your employees to a catered lunch and expand their minds with information critical to being the best at what they do. They also provide a tangible way that employers can invest in their team. From motivational, educational or expert talks, your employees will come away from their Lunch & Learn hour better than ever. And your business will only be better for their betterment and improved mindset.
Free Fridays
After a long weekend, employees often come back to the office lamenting the five-day workweek. The time off has left them more rejuvenated than ever, and feeling ready to be their best. Why can’t every week be like this? One trend in the world of workplace perks is to deviate from the standard eight-hour workday and offer employees the option to work slightly longer hours, then take every other Friday off. With 26 extra days off a year (and no cut in pay) this may just be the perk among perks.
Mentorship opportunities
According to Deloitte, a majority of employees who intended to stay with their companies more than five years were twice as likely to have mentors. It’s human nature to want to push ahead and become the best version of ourselves. And Millennials, in particular, are fueled by feedback on their performance. Feed your employees’ need for personal and professional growth by providing mentorship opportunities.
Pairing young (or not-so-young) hirelings with someone who’s been there and done that can not only help them advance their own
Investing in your team in this way also can also help them feel valued as they advance their careers, their leadership abilities
Remote or flexible work opportunities
A survey by Deloitte found that millennials tend to evaluate opportunities by work-life balance and flexibility in terms of hours and where they can work. Their work life and personal life often merge, making remote work, in many ways, their ideal. Providing some flexibility in terms of hours or remote work can give your employees the balance they need in their lives, and help you save on overhead costs of keeping your team in-house.
