More companies are looking towards additional benefits and perks to help their workforce stay motivated. Often companies believe that software or time management systems will solely boost productivity. But, many are finding that integrating fun incentives and improving their company culture is a huge factor. If employees feel appreciated and have time to decompress, their work often reflects that. If you want to give your company an edge, try integrating a few of these additional benefits such as corporate gardens, child care reimbursement, and more.
Improve the Atmosphere with a Company Garden
Individuals usually associate offices with dull white rooms, computers, and harsh white lights. Instead, companies can create spaces that counter this belief. One way is by creating a company garden that can become a refuge from work-related stress and inspire collaboration. These gardens can be established on porches, rooftops, and patios. Growing vegetables and fruits as a team have an array of benefits for both the employee and employer.
If an employee is healthy, employers often have to deal with fewer sick days and insurance costs. Gardening burns calories and strengthens the heart while reducing blood pressure. Moreover, gardens also broaden an employee’s access to fresh and healthy foods. Additionally, gardening can also tie into your company values. It can include reducing your carbon footprint, making charitable donations, and establishing wellness programs for your employees. For example, a portion of the food grown can be donated to food kitchens, community fridges, and more.
Offer New and Future Parents Support as an Additional Benefit
When employees have complicated home lives, it often shows in their overall performance and perspective towards work. To help alleviate a major stressor, consider adding perks that can help support new and future parents. Companies are now integrating child care into their offices, paternity leave, and even offering assistance in new baby funds, egg freezing, or childcare reimbursement. Moreover, employers are also more cognizant of the difficulties new mothers face and have created peaceful and private nursing rooms. By establishing that mothers and fathers have your support wherever they are in their parenthood journey, you are reiterating their value and that results in happier employees who aren’t bogged down by stress.
Small Perks that Create Big Changes
Employee satisfaction is essential to a company’s overall success, which is why it is crucial to establish a positive company culture and offer incentives and job perks that excite and inspire your team. And often, it is the small perks that create big changes. While every employee loves a competitive salary, there are many additional ways to reward your employees. It can include offering a week of rest, birthday PTO, field trips, flexibility to bring your child or pet to work, and some free time for leisure activities in and outside of the office. You can include time to watch a movie, read, play video games, and more.
Reward your workforce for their hard work with time to do what they love. By creating meaningful experiences, you can reduce employee burnout and promote a healthy work-life balance. By having healthier, happy employees, you can simultaneously reduce your health insurance costs, increase loyalty to the company, and build a strong culture within the organization.
Besides small perks, corporate gardens, and parent benefits, you can also motivate your employees by adding an education or wellness initiative. For example, employers can assist employees in their pursuit of furthering their education. Or, employers can better their workforce’s wellness by offering gym memberships, treadmill or standing desks, spa days, and more.
Learn More About Alternative Benefits
For a more comprehensive and detailed breakdown of additional benefits, read our white paper linked in our first Alternative Benefits blog post. Contact us if you have any questions or if you want to further explore alternative benefits that we offer such as self-insured captive insurance.