5 Company Benefits We Love
Did you know that more employees would prefer new or additional benefits to a pay raise? We were surprised!
Benefits extend beyond health insurance and sick time, so we’re sharing five company benefits we love.
Flexible Schedules
Computers and the Internet have made it possible to work from anywhere, which is awesome, seeing as more employees are striving towards work-life balance. In fact, a new study from Bentley University found that 77% of millennials say that a flexible work schedule would make the workplace more productive for their generation. And as millennials have now surpassed Generation X as the largest generation in the U.S. workforce, it may be wise to listen to them.
A flexible schedule is exactly what it sounds like: Employees are not limited to the traditional 9 to 5 workday and thus have the option to schedule their work hours at different times, and/or can work from home. Don’t believe the millennials? A Stanford University study found that working from home led to a 13% increase in productivity, and people who telecommuted reported higher work satisfaction.
Corporate Catered Lunch
Of course we love corporate catered lunch here at Rootastes! We were founded on the idea of making corporate lunch healthier and easier so employees can work more productively.
When employees enjoy a healthy meal for lunch, they are 150% more productive throughout the afternoon and 46% more focused! Not only that, they’re likely to take fewer sick days as a result of increased health and are more likely to collaborate with other employees, as eating lunch together can boost networking and team building throughout the workplace.
Hungry for more? Read 5 Ways You Earn When You Spend on Office Lunch Delivery.
Childcare Stipend
Nearly 70% of employees reveal that the cost of childcare influences their career decisions, meaning it’s actually in a company’s best interest to alleviate the cost. As childcare can be the largest household expense of American families, many high quality employees opt to stay home, switch to a job with a higher income, or take on a part-time job. And even if an employee takes on a part-time job, they’re likely to become less productive at their primary job.
Ready for the facts? A Journal of Managerial Psychology study found that employee performance was higher and absenteeism lower among employees using onsite childcare as opposed to an offsite center or to employees who had no children.
If your company isn’t ready for onsite childcare, consider offering a pre-tax flexible spending account for childcare or simply create a company policy that no meeting will start before 9:30 a.m. and end later than 4:30 p.m. to alleviate anxiety around daycare pick-up and drop-off times, leaving your employees more focused at work.
Career and Personal Development
Training is essential to the success of any employee. A recent study found that 40% of employees who receive poor job training leave their positions within the first year. But it’s not only onboarding training that leads to success, 76% of employees seek opportunities for further career growth, and are more likely to leave their position if they feel they don’t have room for growth.
Career and personal development engages employees and shows that you’re investing in them. Sit down with your employees and ask what their career goals are then find a workshop or course that will put them on track to achieve those goals. For example, if an employee hopes to become a manager in the future, enroll them in a leadership course.
Development doesn’t have to be limited to the workplace, either. Consider starting an employee health program by offering healthy lunch options (see above) and fitness opportunities.
Onsite Relaxation
We’re talking massages and naps- and no- these are not froufrou benefits. Massages have been shown to increase productivity and creativity while also reducing stress among other perks.
Naps have similar effects in that they can improve our memory and boost cognitive function. A 30-minute nap is ideal, but even 10-15 minutes will bring positive results.
To incorporate these benefits, consider transforming an unused office into a tranquil space for massage therapy, and find a larger room (such as a conference room) for a nap space. Don’t forget the nap pods!
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Who doesn’t love to feel appreciated and productive? That’s why we love company benefits- even more than a pay raise.
Meet Rootasters:
Meg is a dreamer, entrepreneur, and homesteader based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She loves her cats, feasting, and road trips in her green VW Bug.