Free food, flexi-time and fitness aids have been named among the best job perks by a recruitment expert.
Anita Tweats, CEO of financial services matchmaker The Finance People, has revealed ten of the most sought-after job benefits for attracting high quality office staff.
A casual dress code and a games room have also made the leading businesswoman’s list, on top of an attractive salary, holiday allowance and professional development.
Her own company has won praise for its unique service, matching experienced finance professionals with start-ups and other small companies who require financial expertise.
The Finance People CEO Anita Tweats said : “Many businesses often think that the headline wage is all that matters to potential employees.
“But my experience has taught me that sometimes the little things can make all the difference, so an appealing perks package could be crucial when recruiting.”
Here is The Finance People list of the ten best job perks:
- Free food - Filling employees’ stomachs for free is one of the easiest ways to their hearts, whether it’s a complimentary breakfast club, laying on sandwiches for lunch or installing a snack station.
- Health Insurance - For companies with a larger budget, a private health care plan for each employee could show a reassuring long-term commitment to your staff.
- Flexi-time - Around core daytime hours, allowing staff to start and finish an hour or two earlier or later could provide the flexibility they need to maintain other commitments.
- Casual Dress Code - Some businesses will chose to ditch suits and uniforms and replace them with a more relaxed approach that allows employees to wear whatever they feel most comfortable in, as long as it’s not inappropriate.
- Special Fridays - An increasing number of companies are choosing to close early on a Friday or socialise as a team to start the weekend.
- Local discounts - Larger businesses can use their contacts and bulk buying possibilities to enter partnerships with other local companies to offer staff discounts, but even small and medium sized enterprises could join forces with local food outlets, retailers and service providers to offer staff money off.
- Pets - Being careful to consider existing employees’ opinions, an office dog or invitation to bring your own pet in from time to time could entice future staff.
- Group bonding activities - Events and experiences that create fun memories and allow colleagues to get to know each other better as individuals can be a key contributor to a work environment that is attractive to prospective new members of the team.
- Fitness aids - Personal fitness is increasingly a priority for millennials and the middle-aged alike, so companies that lend a hand in this area could be more appealing to possible new hires.
- A games room - Many office spaces could attract new talent by providing a fun room full of pool or ping pong tables, video games or whatever entertainment people want.