Here’s a look at today’s top employee perks and how they can impact company success.
As millennials continue to make their way into the workforce, their lifestyles will continue to significantly influence the way company culture evolves.
The following are employee perks and benefits that are trending among the growing population of millennials in the workplace.
Family First
It is abundantly clear that family dynamics are different among millennials in comparison to past generations. Family is now at the forefront when job searching. Employees must feel their employer is a contributor to their family’s overall well-being.
Offering employee perks like parental leave, subsidized on-site child care, “Baby Cash” to welcome a newborn, or providing assistance in transitioning back to the workplace are all amazing contemporary benefits
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Food
Providing food is an optimal tool in the continued shift of workplace dynamics and employee autonomy.
Keeping employees in the workplace environment facilitates continued interaction and open communication among them. Companies can now foster creativity so employees may thrive and achieve more.
The concept of achieving more together and treating leadership as a team effort is becoming a fabric of the work culture. 
Health and Wellness
A rising trend in employee perks is offering subsidized services like gym memberships or free on-site services, such as massages and acupuncture treatments.
These perks send a strong message that employees are encouraged to bring their “whole humanity” to work.
“Obvious benefits include a healthier, happier and consequently more productive work environment. Providing ample space and resources for employees to take great care of themselves is also a good way to illustrate the extent to which the company values them beyond their ability to drive revenue,” explained Founder of FiveFifty, Ryan Wilson.
Scheduling Autonomy
Among the most valued employee perks is the concept of letting employees manage their own scheduling changes with managers’ oversight. By fostering employee autonomy, workers are more satisfied, leading to a culture of openness between employees.
“Empowering our employees with the ability to manage their own schedule and work remotely has been a huge advantage for us. By allowing them to self-manage, they feel more invested in getting the work done as efficiently as possible, something we weren’t achieving by making sure they were in their chairs by 9 a.m. For us, it’s about the work getting done on time, not about where or when it’s completed,” said Co-Founder of ZinePak, Kim Kaupe.
Financial Literacy
Being in a constant worry over finances can truly hinder employees’ productivity.
By taking active roles in offering solutions, employers encourage an environment of openness and support. Cutting student debt among millennial employees ensures long-term success for the company.
Some employers even offer student loan debt reimbursement while others offer financial education.
However, employee perks like this should be offered with care. “Make it aspirational, rather than remedial, so that they take advantage of these opportunities and reap the long-term benefits,” advised Vice President of Research at Life Meets Work, Dr. Ken Matos, Ph.D.
Personal Development
For the sake of their ROI, employers are now offering to pay for continued education. The idea that employees no longer serve one specific purpose in the workplace drives employers to encourage the expansion of their skills.
In addition, companies now offer employees opportunities that go beyond developing their leadership skills. They are given the chance to work through personal matters such as parenting issues, marriage issues, identity issues, and more.
“Supporting our staff in their lives impacts their work, while deepening loyalty to the company and one other,” said CEO of Round Table Companies, Corey Blake.
The future of work is already here, and employees want to engage and invest in an interesting work environment. Employee perks are an essential way of expressing that employees are a just as much a valued investment as their jobs are to them. Additionally, these valuable perks make it clear that a company’s long-term success is driven by the ability to achieve more together.
