Finding and retaining top talent requires innovative measures in a tough hiring market. Many companies are doing anything it takes to reach skilled candidates, including offering unique perks. Your company should join them by providing benefits that are in-demand.
You need to go beyond the typical benefits of healthcare insurance and a one-week vacation to attract top talent. But what types of perks should you provide? Read on for four innovative perks that will help you attract top talent.
1. Unlimited PTO
Personal time off is usually offered in the form of sick days, vacation, and mental health days. However, for most companies, PTO is limited. If you really want to attract top talent, you should provide unlimited paid time off. That’s right. When you don’t place restrictions on the amount of time off an employee can take, you’ll see a harder-working employee.
Workers want more control of their time. They want to have a good work-life balance. By providing limitless PTO, you can give them what they want while showing them that you trust them. Employees will feel empowered to prove themselves worthy of that trust.
You can also offer an added benefit of a corporate discount program. This will ensure that your staff can travel or seek out entertainment or retail therapy during their time off. Employees will be able to fully enjoy their PTO and save money at the same time.
2. Pet-Friendly Office
People love their pets. They buy them clothes, get them pup cups at coffee shops, and generally pamper them all around. But then they need to leave them for eight hours each day when they go to work. No one likes to leave their pet behind. Offering a pet-friendly office will attract top talent who happen to be pet parents.
You can choose to have monthly bring-your-pet-to-work days or make every day pet day. Having animals nearby reduces stress and increases happiness. Coworkers are more likely to form friendships if they have a dog or cat to interact with too. It’s a common ground to start a conversation. Most people like animals and will approach someone who has a pet, improving team connections.
You can also offer pet-friendly benefits, such as pet insurance. Animals are part of people’s families, so their health is important to them. But going to the veterinarian is expensive. Pet insurance can assist with pet health costs.
3. Professional Development
Providing professional development opportunities not only attracts top talent, it retains them. You might offer your employees training programs, off-site workshops, or even tuition reimbursement. Send staff members to conventions where they can have hands-on opportunities to understand the business and meet colleagues within the industry.
Giving workers the ability to learn new skills is beneficial to employees and employers alike. Workers are actually more likely to stay with an organization that gives them chances to advance their career. Plus, professional development improves both job satisfaction and workplace morale. It strengthens a company’s brand, making them stand out against the competition as a great place to work.
You can also offer personal development and prevent burnout at the same time through sabbaticals. Providing workers with paid time off means they can grow and learn about what they are passionate about. Maybe they’ll learn to surf. Or perhaps they’ll write a book. Or maybe they’ll go overseas on a volunteer-centered trip. Whatever they choose to do, they’ll experience reduced stress and more satisfaction with their life.
4. Benefits for Parents
Parents often struggle with work-life balance, so providing them with assistance in the workforce is a great way to attract top talent. Childcare can interfere with a parent’s ability to secure employment. And the cost of childcare can take away a large amount of income. However, by offering a stipend for daycare, parents are assured that their children are taken care of. You can also offer on-site childcare, which will allow parents the freedom to bring their children to the office. Parents and children alike will enjoy being able to see each other throughout the day.
For new parents, you can offer extended paid parental leave. Parenthood is a stressful time with the demanding needs of a newborn. Providing mom and dad time to be with their new child can relieve the stress of life changes and financial uncertainty. For example, both Netflix and Spotify offer six months of paid parental leave for eligible employees.
You can also offer fertility and adoption assistance to employees trying to start a family. Treatments like retrieving and freezing eggs, intrauterine insemination, and IVF are all expensive and often not covered by insurance. Adoption benefits are also sought out by workers. Companies can support individuals seeking to adopt by providing parental leave, financial help, and resources like support groups. Considering the needs of parents or soon-to-be parents is a good way to build your brand and attract skilled candidates.
Attracting Top Talent
Of course you want to offer vacation days, health insurance, and retirement options. But is that enough to attract top talent? When you think about what your competitors are offering, you should realize that traditional benefits are simply not enough. If you are trying to draw in skilled candidates, you’ll need to do more.
Options like training, mental health assistance, and perks for parents and pets are among the benefits that you can provide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 8.2 million open jobs in today’s market. Offering innovative benefits to candidates makes your company stand out among the millions of available jobs.
