Many employers are finding that there has been a change in what their staff want from their jobs. This has been thrown into sharp focus by the COVID-19 pandemic, as more and more workers have been thinking about their work-life balance, and spending their time doing something that enjoys and feel valued.
With a change in priorities, employees are now prepared to move on and look for businesses that offer more than just money.
This change in focus for employees should also change how businesses look at hiring staff and what the best talent in your industry is actually looking for. Many people are now lured by the thought of workplace perks, and this can be very simple to offer.
Favourite workplace perks
Once upon a time, workplace perks were viewed as financial offerings, but this no longer has to be the case. With many people having spent much of the last two years changing the way they work and working from home, there is now a great value put on flexible working hours. Allowing staff to come and go around the school run or to be at home for some of their work time can play a huge part in making their home life easier, and therefore feeling that a business which offers this is more appealing.
Childcare is often one of the biggest worries for workers, so allowing time around this or even providing childcare is hugely appealing to many.
Mental health should now be a big concern for any employer, and one who takes this seriously will be very popular. This means not only offering time off for mental health issues but also offering activities such as counselling, mindfulness or meditation to help deal with whatever employees might be feeling.
Fitness is another consideration for many employees, and this can be both costly and difficult to fit into a working day. Some of the most highly regarded employers are now offering fitness or yoga classes, gym subscriptions or even a few outdoor adventures to help keep their staff happy and healthy.
Food-based perks
In the studies that have been conducted, many employees cite food and drink as a big incentive. The number of employees who are either “extremely” or “very” happy with their jobs jumps from 56% to 67% in businesses that offer free food.
However, only 16% of employees stated that they actually get this at work. For some, this might as simple as having free tea and coffee on hand, or even having barista-style coffee available so that they can enjoy their favourite latte or espresso.
Having snacks available can play a part in making employees excited to come to work, and these kinds of perks can be a big draw for new talent when you are looking to hire. This could be anything from biscuits and cakes to granola, juice and yoghurts.
Craig Sellers, Operations Manager at Workplace Refreshments commented, “Health is something that should always be taken seriously, and that is why many people now focus on their diet. A workplace can often be the undoing of good intentions when there is nothing but crisps and chocolate to choose from. However, vending machines which provide healthier options allow your employees to make better choices for themselves and stay on track with their goals.”
Offering perks to your staff is now seen as being almost as important as how much you pay them. Choosing some which hold the greatest value to people whilst not costing the business the earth can put you in a winning position. Advertising these new offerings can help to attract more potential when you have a position to fill and can give you much more to choose from when the applications start to flood in.
