According to Glassdoor, 4 out of 5 employees would prefer better benefits or perks at work over a pay raise. We’ve already talked about some standard corporate perks before, including paid time off, telecommuting, and maternity/paternity leave.
But, there are some businesses out there that are offering their employees luxurious, outrageous perks in an effort to motivate them and keep retention levels high. It’s also a strategy for attracting the best new talent within different industries.
But, are expensive and expansive perks really worth it? Can you really find better employees and keep your best ones on board by offering the moon? Let’s look at some of these outrageous perks, and you can decide for yourself if you think they’d be a good fit for your business.
On-site Massage Therapist
Work can be a stressful place at times, which is why major corporations like LinkedIn and Samsung have an on-site massage therapist available to their employees. Some employers provide massage services at special events, or a few days each week, in the hopes that it will de-stress employees and help them to feel relaxed and motivated.
Home Cleaning Services
This is one of the more “unique” benefits we’ve seen, but if you’re stressed about how you’ll get your housework done while you’re at home, you wouldn’t have to worry about it if you worked for IT staffing firm Akraya. They provide their employees with an in-home cleaning service twice a month. This is a company that is constantly encouraging their employees to have fun, so getting their homes professionally cleaned isn’t necessarily so they can work more, it’s so they can achieve a greater work/life balance.
Standing Desks and On-Site Gyms
When you think of luxury for your employees, you might think of things like napping pods (yes, they exist!), or lifts that can take them from floor to floor, like the ones offered by Lift Works. But, many employers are recognizing their employees’ desire to stay fit.
Studies have shown that obesity impacts productivity at work. That could mean a loss of business for you and could bring dangerous health concerns for your employees. So, offering things like standing/walking desks can make a big difference in how active your employees are each day.
Some companies even have on-site gyms, like General Mills and Facebook, so employees can take breaks throughout the day to get a workout in, boost their energy, and lower stress levels. If you can’t afford to build your own company gym, offering memberships to a nearby fitness center can be a great perk for your employees.
While some of these benefits are a bit more extreme than others, they might be worth considering if you’re willing to invest in your current employees while attracting new ones to your company. Don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to luxury perks. They might be easier to put in place than you think. Ask your employees about things they would like, and create a plan for how you can improve your benefits based on those desires.
