Private cooks. Pet insurance. Fully paid gap years. When it's aboutemployee benefitsand perks, companies are doing it all, and for good reason. The wellness benefits aresecond most important factorfor employees who consider a role (after salary), and above allthree out of four employees believethat employers have a responsibility to look after the health and well-being of their employees.
It is not surprising, then, that almostone-fifth of human resources professionalsmodify your benefit programs toretain employees. This is especially important when companies seek to optimize their benefits packages for the new world of work, whetherattract employees to the office with pickleball courtsor let remote workers choose their hours online.
In this age of flexible working, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. What works at all levels is an underlying strategy focused onholistic wellness, whose purpose is to support the whole person, including:
- Flexibility
- Financial
- familiar
- Physicist
- Emotional
- Social
The good news for HR leaders is that each benefit in a totalwellness programIt's an opportunity to improve the lives of your teammates! We present 101 employee perk and benefit ideas to help you care for a diverse, multigenerational workforce, in and out of the office.
Flexible wellness benefits
Nobody can say exactly what the future of work holds, but we are all sure thatnobeing nine to five, five days a week at the office. More than half of US employees say they can work remotely at least part-time, and 87% of workers do so when they have the option, according torecent McKinsey research. The following flexible working policies help employees be productive wherever and whenever they want.
1. No official working hours
Like Unlimited PTO, if your company only believes in “getting the job done”, you don't need to set official business hours. Some people want to sleep late, while others want to burn the midnight oil. Some might even want to work on the other side of the world. Giving employers the freedom to work when they are most productive will reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.
2. Remote work program
One employee wants to spend a year in Sri Lanka, while another dreams of the space he would have if he moved away from the city. Why stop them while they are still working for you? A smart remote work schedule can keep everyone happy.
3. 4-day work week
Employees with a 4-day work week are less likely to burn out and more likely to stay on the job, according to a study that had dozens ofcompanies try a 4-day work week.And it's not just the employees who win here: 96% of companies at the end of the test decided to stick with a 4-day workweek because of its benefits, and other research shows that the setup canincrease worker productivity by 40%!
4. Agile Fridays
Everyone knows that Friday is the best day of the week. Working from home on Fridays can mean and having fewer meetings can mean time to focus on complex projects, prepare reports, or fix the week ahead.
5. Sabbatical Payments
Employee burnout is real. If you want to keep employees, sometimes you have to let them spend time discovering their passions by teaching yoga, volunteering abroad, or learning how to make wine. Sabbaticals are shown todecrease stress and increase life satisfaction.
6. Summer Friday
In the summer, employees will want to get outside and enjoy the good weather. Leave them! Fridays at noon during the summer are something everyone can look forward to.
7. PTO Anniversary
Getting a cake at the office for your birthday is nice. Spending the day doing whatever you want and getting paid for it is even better. The Anniversary PTO is an invaluable perk that shows your employees how much you appreciate them.
8. Volunteer PTO
Your employees are busy. Maybe they want to volunteer but just can't find the time. Providing special PTO for charities can give them time (and incentive) to do good.
9. Unlimited power take-off
More and more companies nowprovide unlimited vacation time. Focusing on getting work done efficiently, rather than being in the office when there's nothing to do, can have a powerful effect on your employees' focus, productivity, and overall well-being.
Financial wellness benefits
Even your most passionate and mission-oriented employees have to pay the bills. Offering benefits (besides salary) that help them prosper financially removes stress so they can keep their passion alive.
10. 401(k) Correspondence
Your employees make contributions to your 401(k)s. You match them (up to a certain percentage) and your contributions are doubled. It is so easy.
11. Student Loan Repayment Plans
Hethe average student loan debt in 2019 was $31,172(Not to mention the cost of debt stress.) You can make a real difference in their lives by establishing a student loan repayment program.
12. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
FSAs allow employees to put part of their wages towards their families' medical expenses, providing significant tax advantages.
13. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
if your employeeshealth insurancehave high deductibles, HSAs allow them to save for eligible medical expenses in a tax-advantaged account.
14. HSA Employer Matching Contribution
Similar to a traditional HSA, but you match your employees' contributions (up to a certain amount).
15. Health Reimbursement Agreements (HRAs)
An HRA is an agreement between an employer and its employees to reimburse workers for qualifying medical expenses.This is funded by the employer, unlike an HSA, making it another tool employers can use to reduce the financial burden of an employee's health care.
16. Lifestyle Expense Accounts (LSAs)
lifestyle spending accountsare non-wage funds that employers can provide to workers for expenses not traditionally covered by other expense accounts. Employers put a predetermined amount on the account and designate its purpose: health and wellness, student debt, job training, family support, etc. Employees can use these funds for anything they need under this expense category.
17. Discounts on trips + shared tours
More thanthree-quarters of employees drive to work alone. Shifts can come withsignificant stress— Take some of the financial pressure off your employees' travel and help build camaraderie by organizing a ridesharing program.
18. Telephone Service Exchanges
Cell phones are now as necessary as heat and electricity. You can issue a cell phone paycheck along with your regular payroll to help employees cover this necessary cost.
19. Tuition Reimbursement
Invest in your employees by giving them the opportunity to earn a formal education (such as an MBA). Often, this benefit includes a contract that requires the employee to remain with your company for a certain number of years after graduation.
20. Professional Development Fund
Set aside a quota for continuing education through approved development opportunities.
21. Pet insurance
People love their pets, but pets can be expensive. Pet insurance means that Fluffy can stay healthy and happy (and so can Fluffy's owner).
22. Restaurant vouchers
This is a great reward for small successes at the office (especially if it's a trendy new restaurant that everyone is dying to try) and to offset the cost of having lunch at the office.
23. Employee awards catalog
An employee rewards catalog offers exclusive bonuses ranging from PTO, experiences or awards, depending on performance.
24. Employee referral program
Optimize recruiting by encouraging your employees to refer the best talent to your organization.
25. Financial education program
Help employees and their families reach their financial goals, whether it's saving for a new car or paying your kids' college tuition, with a financial education program likegoal setter.
26. Employee Rewards Program
In addition to more traditional wellness benefits, employee reward programs such astreats for employeesHelp employees save on things like technology, groceries, and clothing.
27. Technology reimbursement
Latest generation laptop. Multiple monitors. High speed internet connection. Purchasing technology for use at work, at home, and on the road can be a significant personal expense. Tech cashback can be a great addition.
28. Investment programs
Help employees accumulate capital with smart investment programs.shared computer, for example, is a fractional ownership program that allows employees to buy "pieces" of high-value stocks that they would not otherwise have access to.
29. Gasoline Reimbursement
In the USA, thethe average trip is 26.1 minutes. Consider that twice a day, and that's a lot of gas (and a lot of out-of-pocket money) used to get to work. Gas rebate programs can ease the financial and psychological stress of commuting.
30. Company courtesy parking space
Worst part of driving (especially in the city)? It's parking, it's usually expensive, inconvenient and time consuming. Free parking means all those problems go away.
31. Home purchase assistance
On the list of significant adult milestones, few are more important than buying your first home. Being the company that supports its employees in this? You will definitely earn points.
32. Retirement planning
For some, retirement is a long way off. For others, it's just around the corner. Whatever the situation, you don't want to retire with uncertainty. Planning can help you adopt a smart and sustainable strategy.
Family wellness benefits
It takes a village to raise a child, care for an elderly parent, ensure the dog is walked each day, and supportchosen familymembers if they get sick. Become a valued member of your staff village by offering benefits that facilitate the integration of care and professional responsibilities.
33. Paid parental leave
The birth, adoption or adoption of a child is a major life event and your employees will need time to adjust. Offering paid leave makes it easier for parents to take advantage of this benefit, and research shows amultitude of benefits for the whole familywhen mothers and fathers take parental leave.
34. Subscription of Diapers + Wipes
A new baby can use up to 2,700 diapers in a year,coming out around $550. and that isfairdiapers. This subscription can help eliminate those financial worries.
35. Day Care Reimbursement
It's a difficult decision for many parents: do I stay home with the kids or do I work and leave it at daycare? Childcare reimbursement can help your employees have peace of mind knowing that their children will be well taken care of while they are in the office.
36. Elderly care services
Families with elderly parents and relatives often face limited and very expensive options for home care. Removing the financial burden of this decision can help ease the transition and give your employees confidence that their elderly relatives are well taken care of when they are at work.
37. Day care and education grants
Parents often spendquiteof their salary on the care and education of their children. A stipend means a little less financial burden on your employee's shoulders.
38. Designated Parking for Pregnant Employees
Pregnant brings a long list of new topics to discuss, among them: places to walk. Reserving a parking space at the entrance to the office for someone expecting a baby is a small gesture that can seem like a great kindness.
39. Permanence permit
Does the employee have a new kitten or puppy? In the beginning it's a lot. There are pet tests, house training, and of course, time to get to know each other. Maternity leave can give employees up to a week off to get everything ready for their new furry friend.
40. Vacation camp for employees' children
When summer break begins, parents often find themselves struggling to care for their children. Offering a summer camp means one less thing to worry about.
41. Creche no local
Summer isn't the only time employees need to think about childcare: there's a gap between finishing work and school, or the years before a child is old enough to enroll. And while providing funds for childcare is wonderful, childcare in the office means your employees are that much closer physically to their children.
42. Freezing Eggs
More and more women are choosing to delay pregnancy to focus on their career, but don't want to give up on parenthood entirely. Egg freezing enables employees to better reconcile their professional and family ambitions.
43. In vitro fertility treatment coverage
For employees who want children but are having trouble getting pregnant, IVF is a great option...if they can afford it. Fertility treatments can cost upwards of $15,000. Offering coverage for this treatment can mean a lot to your employees.
44. New Baby Fund
Has your employee had a new baby? Congratulations! But as any parent can tell you, this bundle of joy doesn't come cheap. Providing employees with additional funds helps them welcome this new life into the world with a little less stress.
45. Lactation rooms with hospital exhaust fans
Expressing breast milk (especially at work) is exhausting. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed for two years, a recent change that doubles the previous benchmark of one year, yet just over half of American babies are still breastfed at six months. a suitablenurseryIt gives new mothers the equipment and privacy they need.
46. Adoption Assistance
Hethe adoption process can take more than a year. It's full of complicated paperwork, intense interviews and certain frustrations. Adoptive assistance can help aspiring parents navigate this sometimes difficult process.
47. Free Travel Companion for New Moms
New moms need support everywhere they can get it,especiallywhen breastfeeding. It could be a relative, a nanny, or anyone accompanying a new mother and baby on a business trip.
48. Free delivery of breast milk
This free service allows women to send their breast milk home for free.
49. Increase Programs for Parents Returning to the Workforce
Going from a full-time baby to a full-time employee isn't always the easiest transition. Help returning parents with an accelerator program.
Physical wellness benefits
Being physically active benefits both workers and their employers.Employees enjoy better health in all aspects of their lives and the work they have31% higher productivity rates. Here are some ways to help your team get up and moving.
50. Gym classes
Active employees are engaged employees. By offering employees affordable and flexible fitness options, they will be happier and healthier. Gympass offers a network of over 50,000 gyms in 14 countries around the world.
51. Free Exercise Withdrawal
Equip your employees with the tools they need to stay active, like water bottles, resistance bands or yoga mats.
52. Welfare reimbursement
Reimburse your employees for achieving certain wellness goals, such astake 10,000 steps a dayor sign up for the gym three times a week.
53. Gym Subscriptions
Provide your employeesgym subscriptionsit gives them the opportunity to exercise at their convenience.
54. On-site health and wellness facilities
Do you need to talk to a therapist about some issues that occur in your home? Or a nurse to check if that cut really is infected? On-site health and wellness facilities help save employees time and money, setting them up for success in the workplace.
55. Free flu shots
Free flu shots keep everyone healthy and protect participating employees, as well as their families and co-workers.
56. Conveyor tables
Some people just can't sit still. Treadmill desks can work wonders for stress and productivity. Instead of sitting in a chair for hours on end, your employees can hop on a treadmill and move around.
57. Fitness Reimbursement Plan
Achieve fitness goals and get rewarded. Thanks to technology like FitBit, companies are offering incentives for employees to stay healthy, from spending time at the gym or park to meeting daily step count goals.
58. Screen protectors or blue light glasses
Your employees' vision is a valuable asset, both for you and for them. Prolonged exposure to blue light from looking at screens can lead to vision problems, migraines, and many other problems. FORScreensaverthe pair ofblue light glassesIt's a quick and easy solution to alleviating eyestrain.
59. Benefits of Inclusive Health Care for Transgenders
One of the key aspects of a successful health benefits program is inclusion. Transgender employees may incur medical expenses that are not covered by some insurance companies. Offering health plans with inclusive benefits for transgender people can help reduce the cost and stress of going to the doctor.
60. Gender reassignment assistance
The sex change process is a complex journey. As an employer, you can facilitate this by providing access to financial, legal, medical and emotional support.
61. Unlimited sick days
Nobody likes to ration sick days. Limiting the sick days allotted to an employee can lead to all kinds of problems, from using vacation time to cover an illness to making the entire office sick because one employee runs out of sick days. An unlimited sick days policy makes employees feel respected, comfortable and trusted with their time.
62. Vouchers for Massage, Osteopathy and Chiropractic Consultations
Half of all US employees complain of back pain. Imagine how grateful they would be for a voucher for any of the above.
63. Biometric exam
Taking biometric measurements of your employees, such as blood pressure, height, weight, and cholesterol, can help them understand and monitor their overall health.
64. Cycle to Work Program
Why not give your employees benefits for using their legs to get to work? Employees reduce their carbon footprint, exercise and are rewarded. It's a win-win-win!
Emotional well-being benefits
Our state of mind affects everything we do and depends on many factors: getting enough rest, feeling purposeful, spending time with loved ones, having a sense of security. Supporting your employees' mental health is vital to facilitating holistic wellness.
65. Paid mourning leave
Losing a loved one takes a huge emotional toll and often has huge financial implications. Having enough time to grieve without the stress of losing paychecks is a way of saying thank you for your kindness in a difficult time. To better support your diverse workforce, offer bereavement leave without limiting its use to only when someone loses an immediate family member. Important relationships are not bound by blood, and employees may appreciate being able to take the time they need to process the loss of someone special to them.
66. Mental Health Workshops
Forty percent of employees consider their job extremely stressful, and a quarter said work was the biggest source of stress in their lives. Interactive workshops can help everyone find healthier ways to achieve work-life balance.
67. Teletherapy subscriptions
Did you know that organizations can partner with companies likebest helpprovide your employees with access to therapy? Mental health apps allow your employees to take control of their well-being with accessible options like text and video chat with licensed therapists. These kinds of interactions can be game-changing, especially in light ofrising rates of depression.
68. Mindfulness apps/installations
Stress is a powerful force in offices. A subscription to a meditation app (along with an office meditation room) can show an employee's commitment to positive mindfulness.
69. Employee Assistance Programs (PAE)
EAPs don't fit neatly into a box - they can help with a wide range of issues, from psychological disorders and substance abuse to stress and emotional well-being. EAPs can help employees with everything from short-term counseling to long-term wellness treatment strategies.
70. Sleeping capsules
Consider this:a 40-minute nap can boost work performance by 34%. Who wouldn't want to take a nap after lunch? Sleeping capsules are a valuable investment for companies and their employees.
71. Mental Health Conferences
Companies often give employees a set number of physical sick days, but what about mental health days? Mental health is just as important as physical health and should be treated as such.
72. “Get out of your comfort zone” allowance
Have you heard the expression "Do one thing every day that scares you"? You could give your employees a budget to try. (Maybe not every day, but at least once a quarter).
73. Travel benefits
Show your employees that you want them to go out and vacation in Europe by giving them travel benefits or offering them an annual budget to go out and see the world.
74. Military license
Military discharge is more than securing your job, it's knowing that you can return to the life you've been putting off to serve.
75. Sensory Support Bags
Reimbursing employees for purchases that measure their sensory input, such as noise-canceling headphones or replacing fluorescent lights, can reduce stress for workers whosethe senses are easily overwhelmed.
Social Security Benefits
People are social creatures, so feeling connected to the people around us is an essential part of personal well-being. Finding ways for your employees to connect with each other and the community around them will strengthen any holistic wellness initiative.
76. Culture Pass
Art. Music. Theater. Literature. Dance. Give your employees free entry to some of the city's best cultural experiences.
77. Movie Night
Sometimes everyone needs to relax with a good movie and popcorn. Increase the appeal by adding decorations and prizes tied to the movie you're showing.
78. Company book club
A great way to promote learning, communication and team building. Get more engagement by setting aside an hour of work each month to discuss the current book.
79. Internal Mentoring Program
All employees (especially young people and new employees in particular) can benefit from a guide to help them navigate their career landscape.
80. Paid Industry Certifications
Industry paid certifications are an absolute win-win. Employees get proof of new skills and employers build a more credible team.
81. Unconscious Prejudice + Diversity Training
We all have to respect each other. Classes can help your employees gain valuable insight into their conscious and unconscious behavior.
82. University Coach Program
Help employees navigate their college admissions and financial aid process for themselves or their children by giving them access to a College Coach program.
83. DEI training
Kindness and understanding are essential in the workplace. Education and awareness of the lived experiences and needs of employees with different identities, whether LGBTQ+, disabled, black, etc., can help promote acceptance and inclusion.
84. Affinity groups
Also known as employee resource groups, they allow employees with a shared identity to connect with each other and improve inclusion and culture in the workplace. These groups can help employees work at their best by strengthening their social ties within the organization.
85. Office volunteer opportunities
There are a wide variety of ways employees can volunteer at the office, whether it's offering pro bono services, implementing a mentorship program or teaching virtual classes.
86. Out-of-Office Volunteer Opportunities
Partnering with local volunteer groups to organize a staff volunteer day is a great way to build a sense of community with other departments and your neighbors.
87. Team activities
Whether it's a weekly bowling league or a summer softball team, providing ways for people to get involved in team activities outside of work helps them connect with coworkers on a personal level.
88. Lunchtime Speaker Sessions
Everyone has to eat. Why not host a catered lunch with some inspiration or thought leadership? It's a great way to keep employees engaged (and make sure they take a midday break).
89. Travel Folder Program
A perk for high-performing employees: Provides airfare and lodging for an employee and a guest to visit another company office and provide their expertise there for a week. It's a great way to learn from other teams, develop new skills, and even practice different languages.
90. Arcades
Do you want to play table football? Pool? Table tennis? A game room is a great social, low-pressure outlet for stress in any office.
91. External equipment
This is an opportunity to get out of the office for a day or a week and have meaningful discussions about strategy and the future of the organization.
92. Spiritual days
Of course, it's nonsense. But dressing up for Halloween or the Super Bowl or any other themed day can bring intangible fun to the workplace, especially if there are prizes involved.
93. Bring your pet to workday
As long as you get the go-ahead from allergy-suffering employees, bringing your pet to work can be a fun way to see your employees' furry, scaly, four-legged children.
94. Work monitoring
Send your employees to be part of another team within your company for a day or a week. Not only will this serve as a platform to learn new skills, it will also provide valuable insight into the corporate structure and operations of a completely different team.
95. Take your child to work day
It's a great relationship-building exercise between co-workers and families, as well as being a lot of fun overall.
96. Christmas parties for children
There's nothing wrong with renting a bar for an office holiday party. But one that's fun for the whole family? This will likely lead to better engagement and more links across the board.
97. In-house Barista / On-site Café
Employees can spendquiteof time on coffee breaks outside the office. Having something on the site won't just be a treat for your pocket; it will also save them time (and by extension, it will save you time too).
98. Lunches and snacks served
Like an on-site snack bar, lunch at home means convenience, savings and focus.
99. Free drinks after 5pm. m.
A couple of cold drinks after a long day at work can be a much-needed release and foster a good old happy hour bond.
100. Free food delivery
This is a great way to make employees feel valued, especially remote workers who can't take advantage of lunches served in the office.
101. Grocery Delivery
When you work a nine to five (or six...or seven) job, you don't have much time to shop. Company-sponsored grocery delivery can give your employees the time off they want.
The holistic wellness signature
Modern benefits programs go beyond one-size-fits-all financial and insurance programs. They take a broader view of employee well-being, supporting multiple types of well-being including social, emotional and physical, and they do this à la carte to better meet the needs of today's diverse and multi-generational workforce.
Given all these moving parts, putting together a benefits program can be a daunting task. Gympass can help by giving your employees subscription access to thousands of gym and wellness apps that support your overall wellness.Talk to a wellness expert today to learn more.!