Job unhappiness is higher than it’s ever been across the country, with half of all employees reporting feelings of stress at work on a daily basis. You’ve likely read about the droves of workers who’ve left their jobs because of burnout and dissatisfaction and are wondering how to prevent that from happening in your business.

Offering employee benefits is one effective way of avoiding a mass exodus, but finding the right options takes a bit of thought. You want benefits that provide value, of course, but you also don’t want them to cost you an entire year’s budget. 

With that in mind, here’s a sampling of some more uncommon employee benefits that can make a difference:

1. Offer Healthy Snacks

Instead of the same tired box of donuts, offering your employees something healthier and more substantial for a snack can boost their mood. Filling containers with granola bars, pretzels, or nuts will cost you little and mean a lot to your team. 

2. Remote Workdays

Whether you’re able to offer your employees remote work days depends a lot on your business, but if you can, it’s an excellent option to try. It stands to benefit your company significantly, as people who work remotely tend to be more productive than those who work on-site. Remote work days also help employees maintain a better work-life balance. 

3. On-Site Personal Care

Having on-site personal care options like mental health services may seem like a splurge, but they can help improve morale while also ensuring that employees can speak with someone if they’re struggling. In the long run, they can help you retain workers for longer. 

4. New Parent Support

Offering benefits for new parents and caregivers not only helps them but the rest of the business as well. By making the transition of returning from family leave more gradual, workers will be happier and more productive. Offering flexibility is crucial for parents, so it can be a good idea to allow for remote or hybrid days, as mentioned above. 

5. Pet-Friendly Workdays

Making the office a pet-friendly space at least once a week can help keep workers happy and can even make them look forward to coming to work the next day. 

It’s an option that isn’t without its caveats, of course. Some of your workers may be allergic to pet hair, meaning you may be able to only welcome certain types of pets into the office. 

6. Match Charitable Donations

Employees want to be proud of the organization they work for. By matching charitable donations that your employees make, you can let them know that the company has their values. They will feel supported and know that they work for people who care. 

7. Celebrate National Events

Whether there’s a national championship or a holiday approaching, give your workers the chance to have a little fun. Encourage them to wear their team’s jersey or colors, or suggest that they decorate the office. These perks don’t cost you anything and can fill the workplace with a sense of camaraderie that will improve productivity. 

8. Try Team-Building Activities

Team-building activities can be effective if they’re actually fun. Set up teams and encourage friendly competition by pitting one department against another. You don’t even have to spend a lot to accomplish that; buying two identical jigsaw puzzles to see which team finishes first can be very effective. 

9. Provide Continuing Education Opportunities

Offer vouchers to community courses or webinars that can help your employees achieve specific goals. Alternatively, provide reimbursement once they get certification in a relevant field. Doing so will benefit both the business and the employees in question.

10. Offer Health and Fitness Programs 

Having a dietician on-site or setting up an empty office with a treadmill and other equipment can help your employees feel valued at work while also helping them improve their health levels. 

Keeping Morale High and Productivity Higher

By providing benefits that mean a lot to your employees but don’t cost you significantly, you can help make the workplace a positive place. And at AssetHR, we can help you create the right environment so that your workers are productive and happy. Our human resources professionals can assess your business and find ways to improve what you’re already doing and change what doesn’t work. Contact our team to get started.

Posts that the posts are not intended to provide legal advice and that readers should consult with their attorneys on any matter covered in the article.