While large companies have long touted major corporate perks, including tuition payments and daycare on site, many smaller businesses are now providing attractive low-cost perks that have very positive results. If you’re thinking of doing something more than giving your “Employee of the Month” the best parking space, here are a few possibilities for you to consider:
1. Work from home days.
While it may not work in a retail setting, for those of you who can offer it, it’s a nice way for employees to skip the daily commute and spend some time around their families and get some work done.
2. Family days.
For those times when the kids have a half day of school or a sports engagement, family days allow employees to take a day off without having to use up leave or sick days.
3. Yoga classes.
Bringing in a yoga instructor twice a week to run an afternoon class is relatively inexpensive and will help relax your employees and lower stress levels.
4. Community service days.
Give employees a few paid days each year to take part in community or charitable activities that they’re passionate about but don’t have time for.
5. Movie days.
A group movie outing or free movie passes can be a pleasant perk. For the sake of variety, you might also consider an outing to the theatre.
6. Computer discounts.
Buying in bulk typically allows a business to get good prices on their computers and peripherals. How about passing those discounts along to employees looking for home computer equipment?
7. Discounts on what you do.
One of the easiest and most common ways to reward employees is to give them a 20% to 30% discount on your goods or services.
8. Barter days.
Arrange for a local coffeehouse or other business to swap services for discounts on goods once or twice a month. This provides low-cost perks for two businesses.
9. Fun and games.
Install a football table and a pool table in the break room. Ping pong or pinball machines are also good possibilities.
10. Flexible hours.
Provide options from the standard routine with flexible schedules.
11. Placement incentive.
If an employee recommends someone who gets hired and stays six months at the job, offer them an extra paid day off.
12. Pass the perks.
Companies often accrue perks by using corporate credit cards, such as airline miles or tickets to events. Pass these free perks along to your employees.
While perks can help bolster morale and create a loyal workforce, it’s important for employers to match the perk to their specific staff. The company’s culture, the needs and goals of the employees and the impact on the business should all be factored into the equation before an employer rolls out the latest perks. And remember, it’s not the rand amount that matters. It’s the thought you put into it that will have the greatest effect.