Free snacks, flexible working hours and paid-for fitness memberships have been named as three of the most realistic job perks business owners can introduce to keep staff happy.
New research by LondonOffices.com has revealed the nine work benefits employers could realistically offer which would have the biggest impact on employee morale.
With the average Brit spending around 81,000 hours, or the equivalent of a full nine years of their lives at work, it’s important to make sure this time is spent happily, and that staff go to work feeling positive, healthy and valued by the company.
From increasing annual leave allowance to letting staff members finish early on Friday afternoons, there are many small perks employers can introduce which have little impact on a business’ performance but make a huge difference to employee morale.
Chris Meredith, CEO at LondonOffices.com commented:
“Happy staff are more likely to work harder and stay with your company, so it’s important to make sure you’re listening to what your employees want and responding appropriately.
“It’s easy to just expect your staff members to come in to work eight hours a day, five days a week, with the only benefit being their pay check at the end of the month, but it’s the extra perks which will set your business out from the crowd and ensure your employees really love working for you.”
More annual leave
The most top-notch companies are already providing staff with unlimited holiday allowances, so whilst this might be unrealistic as an ambitious SME, upping employees’ paid leave by a couple of days each year won’t do any harm – but it will be greatly appreciated.
Private health care
Nothing says “we value our employee’s wellbeing” like a comprehensive private healthcare plan.
On-site gym or fitness membership
Many office workers would happily embrace a gym membership as part of their work perk package. This could also be massively beneficial for businesses, as they’ll be seen to be taking employee wellbeing seriously.
Free snacks and lunches
Providing snacks and/or regular team lunches is a good way to keep staff energised, focused, and increase colleague relationships. It’ll also mean employees stay healthy and hydrated if you supply generous helpings of fresh fruit and the like.
Flexible working hours
Life can be demanding and unpredictable, and at times it’s hard to accomplish everything you need to whilst working a full-time job and getting the recommended eight hours of shut-eye too. Staff will greatly appreciate being able to work around important events and appointments and it’s likely that sick days will reduce as a result.
Opportunity to work from home
There are some huge benefits to working remotely, so why aren’t more businesses offering this perk? Having the option to work from home or from another location will help employees’ break the monotony of their working week and increase levels of productivity.
Early finishes on Fridays
Most of the time, businesses will be winding down for the week from 1 or 2pm on Fridays anyway, so why not let staff leave just an hour or two early to get their weekends off to a great start?
Regular team events
Not only are work events fantastic for team morale, it also gives employees the chance to get to know one another and bond on a more personal level, outside the confines of the office walls. This could mean days out to theme parks and other attractions, or simply a quarterly evening meal and drinks at a local restaurant.
Personal training budget
Although all employers should offer opportunities for training and personal development, employees would greatly appreciate an allowance which can adhere to their own individual training needs and requirements – whether that be training courses, events or further accreditation.
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
