The 6 perks companies use to bring employees back to the office

As companies try to entice employees to return to their offices after the pandemic, they are using perks to boost morale, create a unique company culture and even attract new talent.

“It’s almost like a friendly competition to outdo each other to make the workplace an absolute paradise,” said Travis Lindemoen, founder of Kansas City-based recruiting platform Enjoy Mondays.

As long as the job market continues to look strong, Lindemoen doesn’t see these benefits disappearing. In fact, when negotiating for a job, potential employees should not hesitate to ask about the benefits list or ask if certain benefits could be added.

The most unconventional perks for office workers around the world:

1. Walking

What: A reward for leaving your car at home

Where: Cove.Tool, a collaborative software company in Atlanta

Details: Sandeep Ahuja, co-founder and CEO of Cove.Tool, says the company has implemented a $50 monthly credit for employees who walk, bike or take public transit to work as part of its commitment to reducing its overall carbon footprint. He quickly realized that “Atlanta’s summer weather can be very harsh” and made sure employees showered in the office.

2. Play ball

What: Paid time off to join sports clubs

Where: MasterControl, a quality management software provider in Salt Lake City

Details: Diving; hiking; Yoga. MasterControl has created a club for each of them, and nearly two dozen other hobbies. Executives can use one hour of their workday each week to work out with other club members and four hours annually to participate in a special event, such as a volleyball tournament. Alicia Garcia said the program came about after company executives noticed that employees were not using existing fitness benefits, preferring to create their own groups.

3. Family allowances

What: Family planning benefits and subsidies for pregnant mothers

Where: Domo, a data management company in Utah

Details: Through benefits or health insurance, Domo covers not only workers who become pregnant conventionally, but also those who adopt, freeze their eggs, or seek IVF. The company offers paid leave for the last month of pregnancy and a clothing allowance of $2,000 per pregnancy.

4. The farm

What: A free public market

Where: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a spirits company in Austin, Texas

Details: The meal can be made much easier when you can use tomatoes and cucumbers from the company farm. Every week Tito’s hosts a market where employees can pick up free fresh produce from the company farm. They can also take home recipe cards that suggest how best to use the vegetables available.

5. Clothes

What: An annual subscription to clothing rental services

Where: Diamond Public Relations in Miami and Los Angeles

Details: During a trip to Italy last summer, managing director Judy Diamond noticed that a certain writer showed up every night in dresses and suits that advertised Capri’s fairytale atmosphere. When Diamond inquired, she learned she had rented her appearances through a subscription service and now knew she wanted to offer “that handy little bonus” to top executives and journalists.

6. Pickleball

What: On-site courts for the popular racquetball sport

Where: Synchrony, a financial services company in Connecticut

Details: Any worker can use the two pickleball courts — built in the parking lot — to play a game during the day. Reward: Weekly lessons to improve their skills and a monthly tournament to test their mettle.

source: after that