Introducing innovative ways to show your team how much they are appreciated can be a tough task.
You want them to remain motivated, but just how can you do that?
In general terms, I recommend an open-minded approach. Be prepared to consider benefits and perks you may not have thought of before. Just because they are not commonplace, don’t rule them out – they may be just what your team need.
You could offer employees the opportunity to make their own suggestions or recommendations, which you consider on a regular basis, such as every 6 months. Whilst you may choose to evaluate these from a financial perspective, remember that your team may well not see it that way. Perks don’t just have to be reflected in their pay packet.
Technology businesses are renowned for their slightly “left field” perks – pool tables and dart boards for staff to play during the day is just one example.
Let’s look at some examples of what other companies have done:
Google is very committed to the health of their staff, so they offer on-site massage, chiropractors and therapists. In fact, Google is infamous for their employee perks, so that’s a company worth looking at for inspiration.
Zappos, another well-known inspirational employer, offers free food, monthly team outings, pet insurance and nap rooms.
But don’t assume that these perks are exclusive to big corporations…
SwiftKey, a UK keyboard app business, offer lunchtime talks from a range of outside speakers, including Stephen Fry.
The7stars, a media agency, offer unlimited holiday time – yes, believe it or not, providing the work is completed employees can enjoy as much holiday time as they like. That might seem a bit uncomfortable, so you may prefer the Buckles Law model – an additional 2 days holiday for every employee who record full attendance for 1 year.
Giving your people a training allowance for them to choose their own development courses is not unusual. But New Charter Housing Trust and Childbase Nurseries go one step further, by offering the opportunity to bid for non-work related training such as ballroom dancing lessons, flower arranging, dressmaking or cookery.
Profit sharing is not a new benefit, but Totemic offer their staff 20% of profits, paid in time for Christmas. They also reward employees for outstanding performance with meals and weekends away.
Rewards for outstanding achievement, or going beyond expectations, are a great motivator. Paragon Interiors have chosen to do this in a way that shows the employee’s family how much the employee is appreciated. Examples include holidays, weekend breaks, family days out and visits to health spas.
Often these treats can be negotiated with organisations so the cost of offering them is not as high as you might expect.