Perks and fringe benefits are an essential tool for improving worker motivation and productivity. In addition to satisfying the needs of employees, the perks are a reminder that the management looks after its workforce.
However, sometimes these perks, regardless of how enjoyable and innovative they are, can affect the performance of the employees. Although the results may not be directly visible but poorly thought out perks can pollute the culture of the workplace.
Before we list down some of the perks that you need to get rid of, it is imperative to mention the thought process that goes behind setting motivational packages. Before setting employee perks, you need to investigate the factors that boost employee productivity in your workplace. Then you need to set incentives based on the results of that investigation.
Given below are some perks that are very commonly used but don’t serve the purpose they are used for.
1. The Snack Drawer
Food often takes the cake in top employee perks. Let’s be honest, everyone loves food and no one minds the presence of a refrigerator filled with the yummiest of snacks. However, these prepackaged snacks are rarely healthy and lead to illnesses in the workplace.
Not all companies can afford on-site chefs like Google that are responsible for cooking yummy meals for the employees. Keeping a snack drawer as an alternative can pose severe health damages for the employees.
A snack drawer also keeps the employees from focusing on their work as it distracts them quite often. Unlike meals throughout the day, a snack drawer will force a person to spend more time away from their desks, gossiping with colleagues after timely intervals.
2. Mandatory Participation
Business executives often feel that forced participation in an event or an activity will yield positive results. However, this is not the case, as participation in such circumstances is primarily because of the employee perks they offer.
Events which have forced employee participation regardless of how well-natured or productive they are often mean that the employees have to move things around in their schedule, which creates resentment.
Sometimes employees have to take time off their personal duties or assignments to participate in an event just because senior management wants them to do so.
3. Work from Home
Another practice that is common today and is considered an employee perk is the option of work from home. Work from home is often misused by the employees, and it ends up lowering the productivity of the business.
This is not to say that you should abolish the practice entirely since it has its own advantages too. A better strategy will be to offer this service to only those employees who are doing well and are following company standards, or those who absolutely need to work from home due to an emergency that prevents them from coming in.
Keeping your employees motivated and highly-engaged is essential for the success of the business. However, in the effort of motivating your employees, it is crucial to avoid perks that end up hampering productivity.
