Unique Employee Benefits Redefining The Workplace
Swapoffi
27 Apr
In an ideal world, we would all find the perfect job, the perfect boss and the perfect colleagues and stay there until we retire. Sounds great, right? Does anyone know where I can apply?
Meanwhile, back in the real world… Let's chat about unique employee benefits that are shaping tomorrow’s workplace.
Why Are Employee Benefits So Important?
Think that a high-paying salary is all that matters when it comes to employee recruitment and retention? You might be surprised to learn that salary is not the top reason employees resign. It’s the soft things or extras that appeal to human emotions and feelings, such as feeling challenged, inspired and valued. After all, work is where most of us spend 35 hours or more per week, so unique employee benefits and perks matter a lot.
Importance of Employee Perk Ideas in Attracting and Retaining Talent
When times are tough, we are all glad to be gainfully (or not so gainfully!) employed. Being able to pay our bills, keep a roof over our heads and afford to eat and heat our homes must rank pretty highly somewhere on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In such times, most of us are grateful to have a job, any job. However, when it’s an employee’s market, like today’s, retention, rather than recruitment, comes into play.
Beyond Basic Benefits: What Matters to Job Seekers Today
When searching for a new job, salary, pension plans, and vacation time are top priorities for most of us. However, modern companies need to offer more employee perks. For example, remote work is no longer just a perk—it's an expectation. Environmental initiatives like bike-to-work schemes and public transport passes are also appealing, especially in urban areas. From pet-friendly offices to yoga classes, unique perks can make all the difference.
Key Considerations for Employers Regarding Employee Benefits
Employers face tough competition in retaining staff, who often have many options. While inertia may play a role, it's risky for employers to assume employees will stay without effort. This is where unique benefits matter! Picture an HR meeting discussing employee perk ideas – I've been in many. It boils down to three questions: Will employees appreciate it? What's the cost? Is it a distinct perk they can't get elsewhere?" Employee benefits are crucial considerations for businesses of all sizes, from large corporations to startups, whether they choose to implement them or not.
Here are some unique employee benefits we've encountered over time—ranging from the exceptional to the less favourable.
Work-Life Balance Benefits
- Work-From-Home
- Work from Some-one Else’s Home with a Swapoffi Home Exchange
- Volunteering
COVID taught us all that we don’t need to commute for hours each day just to reach our place of work before we actually start work. Reports that compare productivity differences between working at home vs working in the office show that there is not too much difference. So there is a strong argument for employers to offer remote working in some format.
But is working from home still a unique employee perk that will set your company above others? The answer is: not necessarily. Remote work was once an employee perk idea, only offered to a few. But COVID fast-tracked the adoption of remote work so nowadays, the ability to work remotely, to some extent, is more of an expectation than a novelty. In Europe, 10-15% of employees work from home, indicating there's still progress to be made before it becomes commonplace.
One of the most unique benefits for employees is the opportunity to work not just remotely but from someone else's home abroad. That is something made possible by Swapoffi, which stands out as the pioneering home swap community tailored for remote workers. Applicants undergo a thorough 4-step verification process ensuring the authenticity of individuals, homes, workspaces, and WiFi access. Once approved, members gain access to unlimited home swaps across 30+ countries.
Home-swapping communities are not marketplaces, they are communities of like-minded people who swap homes with each other instead of paying for accommodation. This concept resonates strongly with today's remote workforce, especially those looking to reduce their biggest expense: the cost of accommodation while working and travelling.
Swapoffi has a unique employee benefits program that offers remote-friendly employers the ability to offer their employees – anywhere in the world – home swaps with each other. This can foster communication and teamwork amongst employees, which keeps everyone happy, including employers. For employees, it’s an exciting benefit, allowing them to work from a colleague’s home, safe in the knowledge that the resources to work have already been verified by Swapoffi.
An added advantage is that employees can choose to swap with any other verified member of the Swapoffi community. This expands their options for destinations to travel to and work from, without incurring accommodation or co-working office expenses.
Employers often prioritise community engagement, showcasing their efforts both locally and on social media by offering volunteering opportunities. Some companies allow employees to choose their preferred volunteer activities, while others provide specific options aligned with their industry. For instance, a recruitment agency may support immigrants in CV development, while a construction company may focus on enhancing housing for the elderly.
If volunteering resonates with you, seek out employers offering such unique benefits for employees. If not, rest assured there are plenty of opportunities beyond the workplace, such as social volunteering with the Nomad Hero.
Creative Employee Benefits
Forward-thinking companies are revolutionising the concept of creative employee benefits, going beyond traditional offerings to provide innovative perks. From flexible work arrangements to unique wellness programs and beyond, let's look at some examples of how organisations are redefining the employee experience with creative employee benefits that set them apart in a crowded marketplace.
- Appoint a ‘Minister for Fun’
In a previous start-up I worked for, a different employee would volunteer to be ‘Minister for Fun’ each month. Rotating monthly ‘Ministers for Fun’ had complete autonomy to decide how to spend the assigned budget. As you can imagine, this led to some memorable team experiences! Activities ranged from indoor climbing, escape rooms, and kayaking, to Irish dancing lessons in the office. This unusual benefit for employees encouraged a diverse range of activities that kept everyone engaged and gave staff at all levels the opportunity to make decisions and manage the monthly budget for fun. Plus, the element of surprise adds an extra layer of excitement to each month's perk.
Food and Drink Perks
Free food and beverages are not unique perks, but they speak to us all! Initiatives that are a step beyond fridges filled with beverages, include pizzas and beer after work on a Friday and coffee and croissants for Monday morning meetings.
In a fast-growing and international workplace, I really enjoyed it when employees could volunteer to give a talk on their home countries and if they wanted, bring some local delicacies to the office. It gave colleagues a greater understanding of their new teammates and fast-tracked the ‘getting to know you’ stage, in a fun and informal way.
Relaxed Clothing
Most work environments have dropped the ‘suited and booted’ approach to workwear, with smart casual being the norm. If you don’t ever want to wear suits or heels or tights to work again, having a relaxed workwear approach might be important to you.
This shift towards more relaxed clothing mirrors broader trends in organisational culture, emphasising openness, collaboration, and a focus on results over appearances.
Letting people choose their clothes at work, while still looking professional, helps create a welcoming place where everyone feels like they belong. It might not be the most unusual benefit for employees, but it makes life easier. You don't have to stress about buying fancy clothes or spending lots of time cleaning them. You can wear what feels comfy and suits your style.
Financial Benefits
- Learn from Financial Experts
- Pay into Your Work Pension
- Additional Tax-Saving Benefits
Larger employers frequently bring in banks, insurers, and mortgage providers to speak with their employees. However, we're not big fans of this perk because it feels like employees are being sold to, and they could easily find this information elsewhere if they were genuinely interested. Moreover, it's hard to ignore the fact that this benefit doesn't actually cost the employers anything. It's more about appearances than real value for the employees.
We absolutely adore tax-saving financial perks! Let's be honest, the less money we hand over to the taxman and the more we keep in our own pockets, the better. Speaking from personal experience, though, many of us don't fully grasp the value of a workplace pension until we're older and it becomes crucial. Unfortunately, by then, we may have missed out on valuable early years for our pension to accumulate and grow. Cue the regretful sighs!
For those wiser than myself, putting as much of your salary as possible into a pension is a wise move. Since it's deducted before income tax, you'll immediately see the benefits of saving, not to mention the long-term growth advantages. And if you're lucky enough to have a generous employer who also contributes to your pension, don't hesitate—seize that opportunity pronto! Don't wait—act now! And if you’re an employer - this is a great perk to consider offering to your employees.
There are numerous other tax-saving perks available to employees, beyond pensions. After all, paying for expenses directly from the gross salary can significantly reduce the amount subject to taxation, making it a savvy financial move. Look into benefits like specialised work attire or footwear, bus passes, bicycles from bike-to-work schemes, and other tax-saving employee benefits.
If you're running the show as a self-employed individual, first off congratulations on being your own boss! Now, it's essential to touch base with your tax office to identify which expenses are tax deductible, ensuring you're maximising your savings. Common deductible items include computers, mobile phones, and a portion of utility bills if you work from home. Even if you believe you're already taking advantage of all available perks, it's worth staying informed, as new opportunities may arise periodically. For instance, I recently discovered that I could claim €1000 annually instead of tediously saving numerous receipts for small expenses. Additionally, certain jurisdictions offer a daily remote working allowance, further sweetening the deal for self-employed individuals.
Health and Wellness Benefits
From boosting physical fitness to providing crucial mental health support, today's companies are recognising the immense value of investing in initiatives that foster a healthier and happier workforce. Just a decade ago, such benefits might have been considered unusual benefits for employees. However, in today's rapidly evolving workplace landscape, employers who fail to offer these essential benefits, risk being perceived as uncaring and out of touch with employee needs.
- Physical Health
- Mental Health
- Support
Many employers recognise the importance of physical health and offer various benefits to support their employees in staying active. This often includes discounted memberships to local gyms or, in some cases, on-site gym facilities. For example, the Tate Modern art museum in Cornwall, UK, goes above and beyond unique employee benefits by providing yoga classes for staff, and a dedicated room for staff to store swimsuits and beach gear, facilitating lunchtime swims during the working day.
In today's fast-paced work environments, mental health support is increasingly vital. Employers, especially those in high-pressure industries, often provide resources such as counselling services. These services may take the form of a confidential telephone helpline or face-to-face appointments with qualified professionals, ensuring employees have access to the support they need during challenging times.
Gone are the days when employees were expected to tough it out and keep personal struggles hidden at work. Modern workplaces prioritise support and encourage open communication about health-related issues. Employees are empowered to speak up, seek help, or request leave when needed. This shift towards a more compassionate approach acknowledges that everyone faces challenges, whether it's illness, bereavement, or caregiving responsibilities.
For instance, Cpl, one of Ireland's most successful companies, exemplifies this commitment to supporting employees' diverse needs. In celebration of International Women’s Day, Cpl hosted a series of speakers addressing various topics, including one brave individual sharing her journey of freezing her eggs. This sparked meaningful virtual discussions about fertility during the workday, fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
In the ever-evolving landscape of unique employee benefits, what's considered unique today may become commonplace tomorrow. From facilitating discussions ranging from fertility and mental health to remote work, workwear and mortgages, employers today support the whole person, not just the person’s needs as an employee. That is a great thing! With a strong labour market, and so many employee benefit ideas on offer, it is up to you to decide what is important to you and then to find employers that offer those perks.
However, some perks stand out for their enduring appeal and innovative approach to enhancing employee satisfaction and well-being. Home swapping between employees is one that offers strong benefits to both employers and employees. The allure of home swapping lies in its ability to provide employees with the opportunity to travel without accommodation costs or the need to take time off work.
For remote-working employers seeking to enrich their employee benefits package, home swapping presents an enticing opportunity. By partnering with Swapoffi, employers can offer their remote workforce a unique and cost-effective way to explore new destinations while fostering a sense of community and adventure.
If you're a remote worker whose employer has yet to explore the benefits of home swapping, don't hesitate to advocate for this innovative perk. By initiating a conversation about the potential advantages of internal home-swapping options, you can contribute to creating a more enriching and fulfilling remote work experience for yourself and your colleagues. Reach out to Swapoffi today for a tailored quote, discover the benefits of Damage Protection for paying members, and access our comprehensive Employee Guide to Home Swapping.
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