7 Workplace Perks That You Can’t Find on a Paycheck

Employee engagement is a hot button topic for today’s organizational leaders. In today’s competitive market, business owners and leaders can’t afford to risk the cost and turnover associated with low engagement. In fact, a recent study found that 87 percent of human resources leaders list improved engagement and retention as a high priority for the strategic direction of their human capital efforts. The study also found that an average of 11 billion dollars in revenue is lost each year due to employee turnover.

The new wave of Millennial workers is making employee engagement even more challenging. Unlike the generation before them, the Millennial population expects more than just a solid paycheck to keep them satisfied. This Millennial group has a new list of workplace demands that require human resources professionals to find new ways of engaging in the workplace.

If you or your organization are looking for ways to foster employee engagement, try one of these fun workplace perks. You won’t find any of these on a paycheck stub, but they’ll go a long way in showing your appreciation and satisfying your workforce.

Provide Direction

A recent study found that 70 percent of employees who are not engaged with the company have a lack of confidence in the company’s leadership. A separate study found that less than 40 percent of employees knew about their organization’s goals and strategies. This breakdown is a crucial lesson for an organization’s leadership team. It means that leadership must clearly and effectively communicate the vision and values of the company. Employees need to fully understand how they fit into the big picture, and this communication needs to come from the top.

Frequent Feedback

Feedback is extremely important to employee satisfaction. A recent study found that 43 percent of engaged employees receive feedback at least once a week compared to 18 percent of employees who do not receive regular feedback. Feedback allows an employee to feel more connected to their work and gives them an opportunity to learn more efficient and productive ways of tackling their tasks. In addition, regular feedback provides managers the opportunity to offer praise and recognition for a job well-done. A small dose of appreciation can make a huge difference in an employee’s outlook. Overall, offering feedback is a cost-effective option with huge rewards.

Remote Days

The fast-paced nature of today’s lifestyle makes work-life balance nearly impossible. One office perk that is sure to grab the attention of your employees is to offer occasional work from home opportunities. Working from home allows your employees to spend more of their day on their work with minimal distractions. Time spent on their normal commute can now be spent accomplishing more work in less time. In addition, a recent study found that employees with the option to work from home report being 25 percent less stressed. Of course, employers (and employees) need to understand that working remotely does not constitute a day off. Your company should establish clear guidelines surrounding this perk, but it’s definitely worth the consideration.

Company-Sponsored Lunches

Food is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to employee perks. In fact, a recent study unveiled that 60 percent of employees report that having free food around the office would make them feel more valued and appreciated. Employees love the social aspect of an office lunch and appreciate the break in the day. They also enjoy the financial savings that come with an occasional meal on the office. Your company will need to evaluate your budget and determine the frequency and quality of the outings, but offering this perk is definitely worth the investment.

Wellness Program

Employee wellness is extremely important to a high performing crew. Many companies recognize the importance of wellness in the workplace and have fostered programs to encourage healthy habits. There are a variety of ways to implement a wellness program and you’ll need to dig deep to find out which method works best for your team. Common strategies include creating a department competition, offering discounted gym memberships, or developing a rewards and incentive program for meeting established health goals. Regardless of the route you choose, your employees will be pleased that their company takes an interest in their health and will return the favor by giving their best effort at the office.

Celebrate Special Occasions

Another way to impact engagement is by celebrating holidays and special occasions. This simple strategy helps break up the week and creates some excitement around certain times of the year. Your “celebration” doesn’t have to be extravagant. It can be anything from decorating the office to facilitating a potluck. Either way, the gesture will be noticed and appreciated and will create some fun among your team.

Create Development Opportunities

The last thing you want is a staff full of bored employees. You will want to consider creating clear career progression strategies and offer your staff opportunities to challenge themselves and learn new things. Take the time to learn about their goals and provide training and learning opportunities that will set them off on the right path to achieving these goals.

These are just a few of the many office perks you can provide to keep your employees happy, healthy, and doing their best work. Most of these ideas are simple in nature, but can have a huge impact on overall engagement and workplace culture.