9 of the latest and trendiest job perks

The basics of great job perks don’t change very often: Workers want competitive salaries, flexibility, great health benefits, and career growth.

However, that’s not stopping many employers from rolling out more unique employee benefits, from bring-your-dog-to-work days to months-long sabbaticals.

Most organizations probably don’t have the resources to implement some of these, but it’s important to have a better understanding of what candidates see during their job hunts. The good news is that a number of these job perks could be easy and affordable to implement with a few tweaks or by being scaled down.

1. Blackout meeting hours

Less of a job perk and more of a workplace policy, blackout meeting hours designate certain times of the week where no meetings can be scheduled. “Blackout hours” give employees time to deeply focus without interruptions.

In addition to being a no-cost perk, employers and managers can schedule these hours when it makes the most sense for your organization, whether it’s blocking off Monday mornings or every afternoon after 3pm.

2. Behavioral telehealth services

Mental health support is more accessible than ever through telehealth services and mobile apps. Offering this easy and affordable benefit means workers have the resources to connect with a therapist or other behavioral health professional to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

These types of benefits can lead to a happier, healthier workforce – and improving employee mental health can have a significant impact on your operations.

3. Discount programs

Many employers are partnering with local and national businesses to offer employees discounts on everything from groceries to phone bills to gym memberships. These programs help employees save on everyday expenses, increasing their disposable income without requiring a pay raise.

At Adecco, for example, we offer our associates and colleagues a discount program, which includes hotel stays, car rentals, gifts, and more.

4. Career counseling

This might sound counter-intuitive for many employers, but offering career counseling services can actually help you keep great workers. As employees plan their long-term career paths, whether inside or outside of the company, they’re also setting goals and pursuing opportunities within your organization.

We’ve seen results with EZRA and know that career coaching can improve retention and create opportunities for employees to develop their skills.

5. Rideshare stipends

Commuting can be a major source of stress, but quarterly or annual rideshare vouchers and stipends can help alleviate some of that. This is especially true for employers who have a large workforce taking public transportation or carpooling.

A rideshare allowance can feel like a lifesaver if someone needs to work late, if there is bad weather, or if an emergency arises.

6. Earned wage access

Our recent associate survey found that nearly 40% of associates/colleagues worry every day about not being able to cover basic expenses, so employers should consider an Earned Wage Access (EWA) program. It allows employees to access a part of their paycheck before payday, helping them cover unexpected repairs and expenses.

Many Adecco associates, if they are eligible, can take advantage of DailyPay, our EWA offering. They tell us that the majority of the transfers are for paying bills, covering transit costs, or buying food.

7. Professional development allowances

Offering employees an annual allowance specifically for professional development – such as workshops, certification programs, books, or conferences – encourages growth and innovation. Much like career coaching, this is a way for an employer to show they’re serious about investing in their workforce.

Encouraging professional development also helps create a culture that fosters learning and progression, which can lead to higher employee engagement.

8. Pet perks

Many companies are embracing pet-friendly office environments or offering benefits like “pet paternity leave,” which gives new pet owners work-from-home days or paid time off to welcome and adjust to their new furry roommate.

While a pack of puppies isn’t appropriate for all work environments, even small accommodations can be a big way to show support for pet lovers’ lives outside of work.

9. Attendance incentives

Rewarding employees for consistent attendance can increase morale and encourage a strong work ethic, and it’s a great way to recognize and celebrate top workers. These incentives could include bonuses, extra paid time off, or even gift cards.

For one of our retail clients, seasonal workers who didn’t miss a shift received a bonus – and were rewarded with access to a discount shopping sale, a major perk ahead of the holidays.

Not all job perks are created equal

Some trendy job perks like unlimited vacation can actually result in workers taking fewer PTO days, so employers shouldn’t jump into every fad they hear about.

At Adecco, we focus on benefits we know will make a difference – also pups and forklifts seem like a bad combination to us. In addition to our High School Equivalency Program, our associates have access to free upskilling and reskilling courses through the Aspire Academy.

That being said, many job perks aren’t too difficult to implement, and by incorporating unique employee benefits when you can, your organization can stand apart from your competitors.

At the end of the day, having meeting black out hours may not directly impact your bottom line, but having employees who feel valued and recognized will make an impact.

Read more of our advice for managing your workforce, or reach out today to talk about how we can bring our associate perks to your site.