Article

10 Workplace Perks to Reward and Engage Employees — and Drive Higher Productivity

December 6, 2022
People on a team smiling and happy
Disengaged employees cost U.S. businesses $500 billion annually, according to some studies. Meanwhile, 69% of employees say they would work harder if they were better appreciated. This presents an opportunity for organizations to both reward their employees and bring down costs.

Offering perks that encourage employees to be more engaged will drive more productivity in the workplace. Many prospective employees consider company benefits and perks when choosing a job or weighing a new job offer.

Organizations can take action to show employee appreciation, and some of these methods don’t even cost a dime. Here are 10 ways to engage employees and improve retention, staff engagement and outcomes.

1. SUPPORT CHANGING EMPLOYEE NEEDS

Human resources (HR) should update its benefits to meet evolving employee needs and appeal to the modern workforce. Some of today’s employers are doing this by offering benefits to assist staff with healthcare, personal well-being and family life, such as 16 weeks of parental leave when having or adopting a baby, and hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery.

Meanwhile, mental health therapy is losing its stigma as more people, especially younger employees like millennials and Gen Z, realize its importance. According to a study, now that employees want more of this support, offering services for mental health is increasingly important.

2. IMPLEMENT EMPLOYEE AWARD AND RECOGNITION PROGRAMS

People like to be rewarded for their contributions to the organization, whether they’re contributing to outstanding patient care or identifying process improvements that save money. Staff will feel more valued if their workplaces implement organization-wide programs that allow management or colleagues to recognize and honor employees.

Likewise, creating an environment of peer-to-peer recognition can spark friendly competition between staff, incentivizing employees to go beyond their typical job duties to earn acknowledgement. The recognition can include naming employees at meetings, in company emails, around highly visible areas in the office or awarding them with gifts.

3. PROVIDE HOME OFFICE SUPPORT

Employees at many organizations continue to work remotely or in a hybrid model and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Offering staff a budget to enhance their home office and their work environment will help them stay engaged and enable them to be productive.

Organizations can also contribute to a home office without offering money. They can allow employees to take equipment, such as computer accessories and office supplies, from the business office to their home office. A comfortable office improves employee efficiency. 

4. COVER PROFESSIONAL AND GYM MEMBERSHIP FEES

Footing the bill for employees to belong to professional groups, like those for nurses, helps staff join organizations that provide relevant news and advocate for their profession. This helps employees stay current on developments in their industry and profession, which they can bring into their jobs.

Covering gym memberships, including yoga classes, helps employees stay active and can relieve stress, making them more engaged at work. The memberships can also push employees to engage in activities outside of the office and encourage a better work-life balance. There’s another potential benefit too—some health insurance companies offer a discount for employees who agree to a health screening or body mass index screening, or attend a gym a certain number of days per month.

5. OFFER FREE BREAKFASTS, SNACKS AND LUNCHES

Team meals are opportunities to bond and share with colleagues while showing employee appreciation. Some large companies offer free breakfasts and lunches on a regular basis, which is a perk that allows employees to eat a good meal without having to bring something from home or leave the office. In this environment, employees can sit together, talk and bond.

Similarly, offering donuts or bagels in the morning, daily, weekly or for special occasions, and providing snacks throughout the day can keep employees motivated.

6. HOLD A SPA DAY

Offering spas for employees helps them rejuvenate from work. This is especially welcome during or right after very busy times at facilities, like physician offices following a flu outbreak. A spa day can include having staff go to an appropriate destination, bringing a professional massage therapist into the office to treat employees or giving staff gift cards for a spa. Offering spa days shows that the organization cares about employees’ well-being.

7. GIVE EMPLOYEES ACCESS TO NUTRITIONAL SERVICES

Many employees want to improve their health and wellness, but nutritional services created to help people develop and follow a healthy diet based on their personal needs can be expensive. Offering these services to employees allows them to benefit from better nutrition, which can in turn improve their health.

Improved nutrition can result in more attentive employees. Another benefit is that employees who are educated about nutrition best practices can share the information with patients and residents.

“Organizations can create programs to help offset student loan payments and improve staff members’ quality of life.”

8. OFFER A DAY OFF FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

One employee reward that doesn’t have a price tag is to give staff a day off for their birthday, their kids’ first day of school or a mental health day. Another option is to offer Friday afternoons off from work throughout the summer months.

Allowing a day off with pay for important or personal days is standard at some businesses. The day off relieves stress and shows the company cares for employees’ family life.

9. PROMOTE CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Organizations can support employees who want to continue learning by paying for some or all of their classes or seminars. This can include everything from a single day class to long-term learning.

Career development can allow employees to earn new certifications and bring additional skill sets and best practices to the office. Continual education also allows staff to discover new developments and technologies that can benefit their organizations.

10. HELP WITH STUDENT DEBT

Some employees may be struggling with large student loans or even modest monthly payments that strain their budgets. Organizations can create programs to help offset those loan payments and improve staff members’ quality of life.

Healthcare provider organizations can help employees benefit from third-party loan forgiveness programs designed for healthcare workers. This requires the facility to be knowledgeable about the programs and eligibility requirements. Organizations can also offer direct help to staff. For example, some companies offer perks like $100 per month toward student loans and others offer $5,000 per year.

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