When it comes to attracting top talent, you want to make sure you’re offering competitive benefits and employee perks. Job seekers say benefits and perks are some of the top issues they consider when evaluating companies. Because of that, many companies have started to look for creative ways to attract candidates — beyond a competitive wage or salary and standard employee benefits.
So how can your business stand out from the rest? Here are seven employee perks to consider when appealing to top talent.
1. Subsidized Education
Smart employees are smart business. In an effort to maximize an employee’s professional development, some employers choose to offer a tuition-reimbursement program. There are usually some requirements put in place; for example, the employee must work for the company a certain amount of time without any disciplinary warnings before they can participate. Employers usually also require that the field of study be related to the employee’s job and/or development within the organization.
2. Access to Food and/or a Break Area
Having access to food on-site and/or a space to rest shows your employees you care. It could be as simple as having a food truck come by the office or job site, or as extensive as running a full-service cafeteria. If possible, provide an area where employees can relax, even if just for a few minutes. Rejuvenated employees are more productive — a win-win for both of you.
3. Gym Membership or Discount
An employee’s health should not only be important to them, but also to you. Some employers partner with local gyms or recreation centers to offer memberships or discounts as a perk. This allows an employee to share the incentive with their family, too.
4. Family Legal Plan and/or Counseling Service
There’s no one your employees care about more than their immediate family, especially when it comes to mental health, legal or financial issues. By offering a legal plan, your employees have access to discounted attorney services and the monthly fee comes straight from their paycheck. A counseling service can offer legal and financial assistance, in addition to other types of guidance like stress management, alcohol and drug abuse and parenting.
5. Identity Fraud Protection
Identity fraud has become more of an issue with the rise of online transactions and social media. Many employees want protection from that risk via a protection program that detects fraudulent applications for various credit and non-credit related services. Since it takes many business hours to get things straightened out when identity theft does occur, offering access to protection programs for a speedy resolution is a benefit to both your employee and you.
6. Plan for Pet Care
Pets are family, too, right? Some companies offer employees a Veterinary Discount Plan. It doesn’t usually cost the employee very much but allows them to save quite a bit on network medical services.
7. Entertainment
Who doesn’t love a little bit of good entertainment or travel? You can partner with companies that will provide entertainment discounts and special offers to your employees. These include things like theme park tickets, sporting events, theater tickets, movies, hotels and more.
Whether you offer one of these perks or all of them, potential employees see value in the bonus stuff and they seek as much of it as possible from employers. They’re always looking for ways to better their lives inside or outside of work. The more you help them do that, the more likely they are to see your appreciation for them and stay with your company for the long haul.
Looking for more expert PEO insight on how to choose the best candidate for the job? Check out our free resource, The Employer’s Handbook for Avoiding Hiring Mistakes.
