Picking Perfect Perks: Employers Getting Creative to Entice Workers

Attracting and retaining high-performing workers—always a challenge—has become a struggle for many employers, leading them to rethink the perks they offer. Some are happy to offer free snacks, others hope to lure people with the promise of generous time-off policies. Do some employees want to bring their pets to work, take time off to help out with a new grandchild, or volunteer for a cause they believe in? Some employers hope to find a payoff in accommodating such wishes. 

Going Beyond Benefits 

Benefits—such as health insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid time off (PTO)—are expected and in some cases required by law. Many employers make a distinction between those traditional benefits and workplace perks. 

Workplace platform Monster has a list of some of the more creative perks that employers can offer, goodies such as complimentary snacks, spa and gym membership discounts, and programs providing free books that can help employees hone their skills. 

“Grandternity” leave, which provides time off for new grandparents, is another perk catching on. 

Employees also may value employer-offered programs such as mental health support. Such packages can take the form of employee assistance programs (EAP), which can connect employees with various professionals to help them through life’s difficulties. 

There seems to be no end to perk possibilities. Benefits consulting agency Austin Benefits Group has a list of 101 possibilities. Here are just a few: healthy vending machine options, on-site health screenings, stipends for home fitness equipment, holiday savings matching programs, paid days off for volunteering, charity donation matching, relaxed dress codes, nap rooms, car detailing, yoga at work, on-site stress management courses, lunch-and-learn programs, and paid sabbaticals. 

PTO Possibilities 

PTO has long been a valued workplace perk. Some employers take the idea up a notch and offer unlimited PTO. Like any perk, there are pros and cons. 

Unlimited PTO policies give workers freedom in when and how long they take off. The policy allows people to take the time they want as long as they can do so without harming business. Rules for requesting time off exist, but there’s no set amount of time allowed. 

Internet job site Indeed has published a career guide outlining advantages and disadvantages of unlimited PTO. 

Pros. Workers often are more focused knowing they can take time off when their work is finished. Also, unlimited PTO policies encourage more communication since they depend on effective coordination between management and workers. People also feel less pressure to come to work when they’re sick, and employees don’t rush to take time off at the end of the year to keep from losing it. 

Cons. A big disadvantage centers around employees’ fear of taking time off. Without having a set number of days allotted, some employees fear they’ll seem dispensable if they take time off, and many end up taking less time than they would have taken under a policy that included a predetermined amount of time. Also, unlimited PTO carries the potential for abuse. 

Pros and Cons of Pets 

One popular perk that has gained ground in recent years is allowing pets in the workplace—a perk loved by some but loathed by others. The American Kennel Club (AKC) points out the pros and cons for employers to consider. 

Pets in the office can be a stress reliever, according to the AKC. Also, employees who bring their pets to work don’t have to pay for pet care, and pets often spur positive interactions among employees. 

Employers benefit when employees appreciate the perk, and potential employees are attracted to a workplace that welcomes pets, the AKC says, adding that employees at pet-friendly workplaces have fewer absences and are free to work longer hours. 

But the disadvantages can outweigh the advantages. The AKC points out that dogs that bark, whine, and snore can be annoying and disruptive. Also, employees who are busy going to meetings all day may not be available for a dog’s potty breaks. 

Also, employees may have allergies or phobias that make pets in the office a bad idea. And if there are multiple pets in the office, their interactions can be disruptive or even dangerous. 

The AKC also advises employers considering a pet-friendly policy to talk to an attorney about possible problems since one dog bite can bring on a lawsuit.

Tammy Binford is a Contributing Editor.

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