For job satisfaction, employees must feel that they are an integral part of their company and not just grunt workers that could be replaced in a heartbeat. They want to feel appreciated and well-respected by their employers. Sometimes, employee benefits go beyond providing just a basic healthcare package and financial compensation: it’s about respect.
And this is where a well-designed employee benefits package comes in. Some companies try to beat around the bush by offering benefits that serve no real purpose, such as free merchandise, employee discount programs, and those embarrassing employee-of-the-month programs that don’t do much for productivity. What employees seek is something better.
Here are some of the benefits that most employees would want.
1. Being Able to Work from Home
No one likes crawling out of their bed at 8am and trying to reach work before 9. That concept is outdated and will no longer attract top talent, at least not in the current competitive job market. You have to become inventive and offer job flexibility. Flexible schedules and unlimited PTO go a long way in helping employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.
This is good for both the employee and employer alike because, in the long run, flexibility boosts mental wellbeing, maximizes productivity, and reduces work-related stress.
2. Employee Wellness Policies That Work
Most companies don’t really put much thought into their corporate wellness policies. A few gym memberships simply won’t cut it anymore. You have to show employees that you truly care about their health, and this is done by designing wellness policies that focus on physical and mental wellbeing. Bonus points if you find a way to incentivize workers to engage with the program. Just don’t punish them if they refuse to become a part of it.
Employee wellness policies should be customized according to your company’s culture. That being said, it should include obvious perks like regular onsite health screenings, regular lunch sessions, and yoga – if possible. Employers and managers alike should lead by example and participate in these programs to inspire others into joining them.
Also, sitting for long periods of time is injurious to health. Consider investing in a standing desk and an onsite gym so that your employees can get up every now and then.
3. Take Them Out to Lunch
We know this sounds old-fashioned, but taking employees out to a dinner that’s been paid-for isn’t a bad idea. It works and goes a long way in relieving some of the work-related stress that got stayed in their system over the week. The ideal time to schedule dinner sessions is during the weekend or preferably during work hours. This way, everyone gets to take time off from work and eat free food.
4. Dental Benefits
Most health insurance policies scarcely, if ever, cover oral hygiene. Bonus points if you can extend dental plan to your employees’ children and spouse. Here’s a statistic that is more than mildly concerning: over 26% or 1 in 4 adults in the US have untreated tooth decay. This is either due to lack of awareness or the lack of access to affordable dental care.
If employers take the initiative and cover even part of the dental bill, fewer employees will go sick due to untreated tooth decay.
Need help designing your company’s benefits program? Get in-touch with the consultants at JS Benefits Group for more information.
