Workplace incentives
Workplace incentives
How Are Companies Keeping Their Talent?
From on-site laundry service to made-to-order sushi, the following companies offer their employees some serious perks. But do companies know what their employees really want? One age-old story says otherwise.
Which Company Provide The Best Employee Perks?
Companies often use perks and incentives to make sure their talented employees never leave. But some of these perks mean that employees literally never have to leave
1. Google: Lacking Nothing
It’s no wonder why Google employees love their jobs – the perks are nearly endless:
- Free food from a choice of 16 gourmet cafes representing all sorts of cuisines
- Dogs are allowed in the office
- Subsidized massages are available on-site
- Free laundry machines
- On-site gyms
- On-site doctors
2. Facebook: Employee’s Paradise
- Free food
- $3,000 reimbursement for childcare
- 21 days PTO, 11 paid holidays, and unlimited sick days
- Four months paid maternity /paternity leave
3. Quicksilver: Surf’s Up
Being located near the beach has its perks. When the waves are good, Quicksilver employees are encouraged to take some time out of their day to day to get barreled in the surf of Huntington Beach – otherwise known as Surf City, USA.
4. Microsoft: Party Bus
In Washington, Microsoft provides free transportation to local employees. Dozens of Microsoft-owned buses, equipped with WiFi, take employees directly to the office
5. Johnson: Concierge Services
An on-site concierge will do just about anything for employees -including taking their cars to get an oil change, picking up dry-cleaning and delivering groceries. Retirees also receive lifetime gym membership
6. Netflix: Vacation Placation
Work at Netflix and there’s no need to request days off. That’s because there’s no vacation policy. Employees have no limit to the number of days they can take off, as long as they get all their work done. And if employees want to wear vacation clothes at work, not a problem; there’s no dress code
7. Genentech: Family First
Among a variety of company-wide benefits (like free made-to-order sushi), the San Francisco Bio-tech giant offers employees free child and doggy daycare while they are working.
8. MillerCoors: Pub Club
What would a beer company be without offering its employees some suds? An on-site pub serves 13 different beers on tap. Talk about a good time.
9. SAS: Health and Wealth
This software firm, which recently reached the top spot on CNN’s top 100 best companies to work for, offers what seem to be endless perks. Some perks include:
- On-site healthcare
- Childcare and summer camps
- Beauty saloon
- Car cleaning
What Incentive Do Employees Want The Most?
Hard incentives aren’t necessarily the best way to make employees happy -but they certainly help. Here are what employees say will make them happy, and what employers think will make their employees happy:
What Employers Say They Want
(#1 is most important, #10 is least important)
- Full appreciation for work done
- Feeling “in” on things
- Sympathetic help on personal problems
- Job security
- Good wages
- Interesting work
- Promotion/growth opportunities
- Personal loyalty to workers
- Good working conditions
- Tactful discipline
What Employers Think Their Employees Want
- Good wages
- Job security
- Promotion/growth opportunities
- Good working conditions
- Interesting work
- Personal loyalty to workers
- Full appreciation for work done
- Sympathetic problems
- Feeling “in” on things
There is obviously a disconnect between employers and employees. Employers believe that monetary compensations is the main thing their employees desire, while employees actually want to be appreciated, care for, and “in” on things.
Yes, offering practical benefits is an excellent way to show employees that they are valued. But companies must not stop there; They must show their workers that they are appreciated, valued and an important part of the business.
