For the longest time, employers have been under the impression that the customer is king. This is the undisputed truth, but putting the interest of your employees first means that the benefits will automatically trickle down to the customers. If employees feel treasured, they give their best to the organization, and this is felt in all corners.
There are the conventional ways that employers employ to make their employees feel appreciated, such as healthcare plans with dental works included, but that feels obligatory. If you really want to keep them happy, it is usually the smaller things that make each day more enjoyable that really attracts modern employees to your company. Below are five benefits you should consider offering your employees.
1. Free lunches
If you are not already giving your employees free lunch twice a month or so, you may want to jump on the wagon. It would surprise you what a free meal could do to their morale. You could have them come up with a preferred menu for lunch, or snacks, or both, then have a caterer take care of it.
2. Education Loans
Most people intend to go back to school but lack the finances. Giving your employees an opportunity to get a higher education through offering to pay their tuition is a great incentive. It will show them that you care for their self-development. They could earn their degree part-time or on online programs so that they don’t have to take away their focus from the company.
3. Paternity Leave
While maternity leave is guaranteed, fathers are usually left out. They too need to bond with their babies for longer than the regular few hours after work. Giving them time off with remuneration will make them feel loyal and give their best to the organization. It shows that you care for more than the company’s financial bottom line.
4. Free Gym Membership
A fit and healthy person is a productive employee. Most people would like to work out, but find the annual membership an impediment. You could give your employees free membership to the local gym and encourage them to stay healthy.
5. Creative Time
You could hive off some hours from the regular workday to allow employees to work on their creative projects. Google introduced a plan where their employees take 20 percent of their time to work on their personal projects while in the office. This resulted in a burst of creativity that brought about innovative products for the company and got it rated among the best employers in the country.
About Dixie Somers:
Dixie Somers is a freelance writer and blogger for business, home, and family niches. Dixie lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and is the proud mother of three beautiful girls and wife to a wonderful husband.
