5 Companies With Unusual Employee Benefits

Friday November 22, 2024

In today’s competitive job market, there’s an increasing need for companies to offer more than just an attractive salary to recruit new staff. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Aviva revealed that 93% of employees consider workplace benefits to be an important factor in their overall happiness, aside from salary.

While traditional benefits like pensions, healthcare and paid time off remain essential, some companies are offering unconventional perks that go beyond the norm. From paid puppy leave to in-house wellness programmes, these unusual benefits play a key role in boosting employee satisfaction and retention.

We’ve found five companies that have pushed the boundaries of traditional perks with their innovative and sometimes unusual employee benefits. We’ll take a look at how these perks contribute to a happy, engaged workforce and what your business can learn from them when designing a benefits programme.

1. Google

As one of the world’s biggest tech giants, Google is known for its unusual office perks. From free gourmet meals to slides in the office (yes, you heard us right!), to some, Google’s campus might feel more like a wellness retreat than an office.

Google’s generous and often surprising employee benefits have set a standard for companies globally. Some perks include access to free gourmet meals, on-site gyms, swimming pools, nap pods and even massage therapy, all of which are designed to keep employees focused, promote wellness, reduce stress and encourage creativity.

While SMEs may not be able to replicate such lavish perks, they can offer smaller-scale wellness benefits, such as discounted gym memberships, flexible working hours or mental health support to foster a healthier workplace.

2. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a leading travel search aggregator and agency with a mission to make travel easier for everyone, employees included.

Skyscanner offers employees reimbursement on select trips and generous time off to see the world and stay engaged with the travel industry. They also encourage employees to learn new skills by offering free courses. These perks motivate employees while giving them firsthand experience of the travel sector, which in turn boosts both engagement and job satisfaction.

Even if your business isn’t in the travel industry, offering experience-based perks like discounted tickets, travel vouchers or team trips provides employees with memorable and rewarding experiences that keep them motivated.

3. Ben & Jerry’s

A beloved ice cream brand known for its innovative flavours, Ben & Jerry’s has a strong commitment to social justice and employee well-being, a culture that is reflected in its quirky employee perks.

Every employee at Ben & Jerry’s can enjoy three free pints of ice cream per day, plus access to an on-site scoop shop. This fun perk keeps the work environment light-hearted and is a simple yet effective way to connect employees with the brand, creating a sense of belonging and pride.

SMEs can introduce small but meaningful benefits to reflect their brand’s culture, whether it’s free snacks, team lunches or casual dress days. Such gestures help to create a positive workplace without requiring significant financial investment.

4. BrewDog

BrewDog is a Scottish beer company known for its bold marketing and craft beers. Staying true to its image, it offers one of the most unusual benefits in the corporate world: puppy parental leave, or as it’s otherwise known, “pawternity leave”.

Employees who adopt a new dog are given a week of paid leave to look after their puppy and help it settle into its new home. This unique benefit acknowledges the importance of pets in employees’ lives and contributes to reduced stress. It also reflects BrewDog’s culture of understanding and flexibility.

SMEs can implement personalised and flexible benefits, such as extra leave for pet owners or time off for significant life events. Offering support for personal commitments strengthens loyalty and satisfaction

5. Spotify

Global music streaming platform Spotify has become just as well-known for its progressive workplace culture as for its playlists. The company focuses on creating a supportive, family-friendly environment, particularly with its generous parental leave policy.

Spotify offers six months of fully paid paternal leave to all new parents, regardless of gender, and provides extra flexibility for parents returning to work, including access to fertility assistance. By offering equal parental leave to all employees, Spotify promotes inclusivity and helps employees settle back into their roles smoothly after a major life event.

While six months of paid leave may not be feasible for all businesses, SMEs can still offer flexible parental leave options or a staggered return-to-work plan to support new parents. Tailoring parental benefits to fit the needs of employees can greatly improve loyalty and reduce turnover.

Support from The HR Department

Introducing creative and unusual employee benefits can seem like a daunting task, especially for smaller businesses with limited resources. However, it’s one of the smartest moves a business can make in today’s job market, with the right perks making a world of difference in terms of employee satisfaction, engagement and retention.

Here at The HR Department, we’re experts in developing tailored employee benefits packages that meet the specific needs of your business and its people. Whether you’re looking to introduce flexible working arrangements, wellness programmes or more unique perks like time off for volunteering or pet care, we can help you find the right balance between affordability and impact.

What’s more, we’ll also support you in the medium and long term by helping you renew specific benefits or answer benefits-related questions or concerns. To find out more about how we can help create a unique employee benefit package, get in touch with us today.

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