While employees were once satisfied with a simple benefits package that included medical insurance, a retirement savings plan, vacation leave and sick days, expectations have evolved in recent years. More and more of today's business owners are thinking outside the box and offering their staff members creative perks that foster a positive and productive work environment. If you are the owner of a company or the head of human resources, consider these top employee perks (presented by Thompsons Tasty Treats) that promise to make your team feel appreciated and happy to be part of your firm's community.
Fitness Perks
Sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time can take a toll on both your physical and mental health. According to the World Health Organization, a sedentary lifestyle not only puts you at risk for cardiovascular issues, diabetes, osteoporosis and other chronic illnesses, but it also increases your odds for depression and anxiety.
Most companies understand that healthy employees are more cost-effective than their unhealthy counterparts because they have fewer absences, lower health care expenses and higher productivity levels. So it's a smart business decision to make it easier for your staff to exercise during the workday.
An on-site gym is optimal because the convenience can't be beaten, but if your firm lacks the funds or space for this, consider other options:
● Offer assistance toward membership to off-site health clubs
● Provide access to videos and software that provide wellness education
● Give each employee a free or discounted smartwatch or fitness tracker that can provide helpful data to ensure safety during exercise, track activity and fitness goals, and even make a fashion statement with interchangeable watch bands and a screen protector
● Organize group fitness activities and challenges to increase the wellness of your employees while also creating an atmosphere of community
Free Snacks
There is something about free food that simply makes people happy. Research shows that snacks provided in the workplace produce happier employees who have higher levels of job satisfaction.
If you like the idea of providing food to your workers, put some thought into the nutritional value of the items you offer. For example, clean eating snacks from Thompsons Tasty Treats would be ideal because they generally provide the vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and proteins needed to improve both mental and physical health.
Employee Recognition
Establish an employee recognition program to acknowledge when a staff member is doing a good job. Whether you provide a framed certificate, a monetary award or public recognition, the show of appreciation can increase employee motivation, morale, productivity and engagement.
Creative Scheduling
Most workers appreciate having some control over the scheduling of their work hours. Consider instituting a flexible schedule that ditches the traditional 9-to-5 workday and instead allows employees to create a plan that works for them.
Mental Health Perks
The business world is finally starting to recognize the importance of mental health. Consider offering creative perks that demonstrate an appreciation for your employees' total wellness:
● Allow workers to take mental health days
● Employ an on-site counsellor with an open-door policy
● Provide virtual resources, such as online therapy and addiction recovery programs
● Hire experts to present seminars on mental health topics like stress management and meditation
If you want your employees to feel happy and valued, consider offering a few innovative perks to make the workplace a more inviting place. Appreciative gestures that make your team feel like part of a bigger community can foster collaboration and, ultimately, create a more positive and productive environment.
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The information provided in this article is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a professional before following the advice or recommendations given above. Click on the disclaimer for more information.