Which employee benifits / perks?
Discussion
We have a great team of around 25 and want to start introducing some perks for the team (depending on length of service).
Can anyone let me know what people enjoy in their small or large business and which is appreciated most?
Also can anyone shed some light on the costs that would be great!
So far we are thinking:
We listen to Spotify in the office.
Have takaway fridays paid for by the company.
We have free teas and coffes (with a proper bean to cup machine)
Fridge full of cans of drinks bought once a month (but these dont last long!)
Douvet days (how does this work? are they taken on the day you want them or do people book these in advance?)
Extra day holiday for each year service. (with a limit)
Free training on a subject of their choice?
Staff discounts for products
Mobile phones
Private health care
Company cars
Any ideas?
Can anyone let me know what people enjoy in their small or large business and which is appreciated most?
Also can anyone shed some light on the costs that would be great!
So far we are thinking:
We listen to Spotify in the office.
Have takaway fridays paid for by the company.
We have free teas and coffes (with a proper bean to cup machine)
Fridge full of cans of drinks bought once a month (but these dont last long!)
Douvet days (how does this work? are they taken on the day you want them or do people book these in advance?)
Extra day holiday for each year service. (with a limit)
Free training on a subject of their choice?
Staff discounts for products
Mobile phones
Private health care
Company cars
Any ideas?
VEIGHT said:
Have takaway fridays paid for by the company.
Fridge full of cans of drinks bought once a month (but these dont last long!)
Any ideas?
Company I used to work at used to buy cold drinks and ice creams when the weather was hotFridge full of cans of drinks bought once a month (but these dont last long!)
Any ideas?
Used to get a massive delivery of fruit every week so that all staff had access to free fruit - as employees we thought this was brilliant
I cant work out of the list is what you're doing already or what you're thinking of doing
Perks shouldnt really be perks, because they can be taken away. Benefits of working at your place could include...whatever it is you want to include
The way you shape the culture of your office is as important as the benefits. If you've got a culture of 'I'm in at 7am and I dont leave til 9pm' then that's not good for people who want to work 9-5. And whoever is doing a 15 hour day really isnt productive with their time.
Encourage holiday, paid time off, vacation, whatever you want to call it. There are companies out there that offer unlimited PTO. Whenever you want. They know that their employees will probably take less than statutory, or thereabouts, but the offer is unlimited. It's hard for a competitor to match that.
The best offices I've worked have been an extension of people's homes, usually the bosses, but you could make it more inclusive by buying in things that people would have lying around. An XBOX or some gadgets, ask the people. If you're going to do free soft drinks in the fridge, make sure it's always available free drinks, rather than just the first few days of the month, as it's not worth anything to anybody.
Company Spotify and someone takes over the playlist on Friday afternoons is a good one. Or shared playlists on shuffle.
Company cars....the BIK on them sometimes outweighs the 'perk' when you're being charged for something you dont want all the time. A few pool cars is an easier way to do things.
Perks shouldnt really be perks, because they can be taken away. Benefits of working at your place could include...whatever it is you want to include
The way you shape the culture of your office is as important as the benefits. If you've got a culture of 'I'm in at 7am and I dont leave til 9pm' then that's not good for people who want to work 9-5. And whoever is doing a 15 hour day really isnt productive with their time.
Encourage holiday, paid time off, vacation, whatever you want to call it. There are companies out there that offer unlimited PTO. Whenever you want. They know that their employees will probably take less than statutory, or thereabouts, but the offer is unlimited. It's hard for a competitor to match that.
The best offices I've worked have been an extension of people's homes, usually the bosses, but you could make it more inclusive by buying in things that people would have lying around. An XBOX or some gadgets, ask the people. If you're going to do free soft drinks in the fridge, make sure it's always available free drinks, rather than just the first few days of the month, as it's not worth anything to anybody.
Company Spotify and someone takes over the playlist on Friday afternoons is a good one. Or shared playlists on shuffle.
Company cars....the BIK on them sometimes outweighs the 'perk' when you're being charged for something you dont want all the time. A few pool cars is an easier way to do things.
trying to implement a Google type work experience is quite difficult in the UK unless you are a very young company, both sector & employee age. The UK as a very cynical workforce.
the benefits that are best are the ones you don't need until an emergency & then you will see how much your employer values you, think Pension, health care (even pushing out to immediate family), Dental.
The Juice & coffee are good but I don't think they will make anyone think twice about leaving the company.
the benefits that are best are the ones you don't need until an emergency & then you will see how much your employer values you, think Pension, health care (even pushing out to immediate family), Dental.
The Juice & coffee are good but I don't think they will make anyone think twice about leaving the company.
The best place I worked had a number of schemes in place.
1. Free loan for season ticket purchase.
2. Paid for training outside of your immediate job (you paid them back if you failed/didn't attend or left in a certain timescale) the rules varied depending on how close to the job the course was. They would give you day release to attend courses and pay expenses as well.
3. Lots of support for social programs or charity work in work hours.
4. Team "fun" budgets - You could spend these anyway you wanted. Days out, events, prizes etc.
5. Company events that were part education/promotional but mostly a fun team building thing.
6. Subsidised canteen doing very good food (as a single man I often had my main meal in the day)
7. Costa/Starbucks in the office.
We also had free tea/coffee, health, pension etc. This was a large company though.
1. Free loan for season ticket purchase.
2. Paid for training outside of your immediate job (you paid them back if you failed/didn't attend or left in a certain timescale) the rules varied depending on how close to the job the course was. They would give you day release to attend courses and pay expenses as well.
3. Lots of support for social programs or charity work in work hours.
4. Team "fun" budgets - You could spend these anyway you wanted. Days out, events, prizes etc.
5. Company events that were part education/promotional but mostly a fun team building thing.
6. Subsidised canteen doing very good food (as a single man I often had my main meal in the day)
7. Costa/Starbucks in the office.
We also had free tea/coffee, health, pension etc. This was a large company though.
Pieman68 said:
Company I used to work at used to buy cold drinks and ice creams when the weather was hot
Used to get a massive delivery of fruit every week so that all staff had access to free fruit - as employees we thought this was brilliant
We used to do that; but then we had an HMRC PAYE inspection and were told off. Providing free ice creams and crisps was a BIK and was taxable apparently. We got away with the free biscuits as we told them they were for clients.Used to get a massive delivery of fruit every week so that all staff had access to free fruit - as employees we thought this was brilliant
Sadly we've just changed healthcare providers, but our previous scheme with Prudential vitality gave us a free cinema ticket every week, I was getting £12.50/month off my mobile bill, half price off a pair of trainers once a year, and up to half price back on bicycles. Great employee benefits but apparently now more expensive than BUPA.
Decent coffee is usually worth it, we have a filter machine and a nespresso machine, company provides tea bags and filter coffee, but people supply their own nespresso capsules, usually in a communal bulk buy.
Depends on your staff as to how much of a perk it seems, but I'm guessing at your size you don't have to provide a pension scheme yet, given that it gives the employee more value than it costs the company it's well worth it unless you're staff are more in to the now than the future.
If you're able to do it (and don't already) flexible working hours are great, we have some people that come in at 7:30 and some who roll in 2 hours later, if we've got a big bit of work on people are happy to put in the extra hours knowing they can take the time off the following week.
Stick a suggestions box in a communal area and see what the staff suggest. Thats how we got our nespresso machine. Having moved from a big multinational to a small (<50 employees) firm the biggest benefit I find is managers who not only listen to their staff but are able to do something about their issues. Feeling that your bosses are interested in making your life better breeds far more loyalty than a discount deal from a faceless corporation.
Oh and randomly bring in cake occasionally.
Decent coffee is usually worth it, we have a filter machine and a nespresso machine, company provides tea bags and filter coffee, but people supply their own nespresso capsules, usually in a communal bulk buy.
Depends on your staff as to how much of a perk it seems, but I'm guessing at your size you don't have to provide a pension scheme yet, given that it gives the employee more value than it costs the company it's well worth it unless you're staff are more in to the now than the future.
If you're able to do it (and don't already) flexible working hours are great, we have some people that come in at 7:30 and some who roll in 2 hours later, if we've got a big bit of work on people are happy to put in the extra hours knowing they can take the time off the following week.
Stick a suggestions box in a communal area and see what the staff suggest. Thats how we got our nespresso machine. Having moved from a big multinational to a small (<50 employees) firm the biggest benefit I find is managers who not only listen to their staff but are able to do something about their issues. Feeling that your bosses are interested in making your life better breeds far more loyalty than a discount deal from a faceless corporation.
Oh and randomly bring in cake occasionally.
plasticpig said:
We used to do that; but then we had an HMRC PAYE inspection and were told off. Providing free ice creams and crisps was a BIK and was taxable apparently. We got away with the free biscuits as we told them they were for clients.
Are there any perks which aren't taxable?we have:
Spotify, but use our own accounts.
Teas/proper coffee, fruit delivered each day, selection of nuts, cereals, toast and spreads
20 minute massage once a fortnight.
Full private medical care
Extra day holiday per year served starting at 25 and capped at 30 days.
Christmas and summer party
a day out the office to go on a country walk/go karting/punting
Regular guided tours of art exhibitions
Language lessons
Can work from home if necessary without needing approval.
Tax free bike purchase payable over 12 months and season ticket loans
and car parking in westminster
Meant to be in for 9am, but can get in up to 9.45 without worrying, as long as the time is made up in that week.
Duvet days have been considered, but would no doubt be taken advantage so we haven't implemented that.
Spotify, but use our own accounts.
Teas/proper coffee, fruit delivered each day, selection of nuts, cereals, toast and spreads
20 minute massage once a fortnight.
Full private medical care
Extra day holiday per year served starting at 25 and capped at 30 days.
Christmas and summer party
a day out the office to go on a country walk/go karting/punting
Regular guided tours of art exhibitions
Language lessons
Can work from home if necessary without needing approval.
Tax free bike purchase payable over 12 months and season ticket loans
and car parking in westminster
Meant to be in for 9am, but can get in up to 9.45 without worrying, as long as the time is made up in that week.
Duvet days have been considered, but would no doubt be taken advantage so we haven't implemented that.
Edited by nitrodave on Thursday 11th June 14:12
Great suggestions so far and it's smashing to see what others are doing!
I'm also interested in what others have done with their workplace.
We have the annual Christmas party and a Summer BBQ.
All our staff have access to a car pool for during office hours.
We have enabled remote access for our intranet and IT systems so staff aren't restricted on where they are working.
Free tea and coffee is provided.
We are only a small outfit with 15 staff but they are the most important 15 people to me Mon - Fri and ways to show that would be awesome!
I'm also interested in what others have done with their workplace.
We have the annual Christmas party and a Summer BBQ.
All our staff have access to a car pool for during office hours.
We have enabled remote access for our intranet and IT systems so staff aren't restricted on where they are working.
Free tea and coffee is provided.
We are only a small outfit with 15 staff but they are the most important 15 people to me Mon - Fri and ways to show that would be awesome!
VEIGHT said:
We have a great team of around 25 and want to start introducing some perks for the team (depending on length of service).
Can anyone let me know what people enjoy in their small or large business and which is appreciated most?
Also can anyone shed some light on the costs that would be great!
So far we are thinking:
We listen to Spotify in the office.
Have takaway fridays paid for by the company.
We have free teas and coffes (with a proper bean to cup machine)
Fridge full of cans of drinks bought once a month (but these dont last long!)
Douvet days (how does this work? are they taken on the day you want them or do people book these in advance?)
Extra day holiday for each year service. (with a limit)
Free training on a subject of their choice?
Staff discounts for products
Mobile phones
Private health care
Company cars
Any ideas?
Some good stuff in there, but my opinion on each:Can anyone let me know what people enjoy in their small or large business and which is appreciated most?
Also can anyone shed some light on the costs that would be great!
So far we are thinking:
We listen to Spotify in the office.
Have takaway fridays paid for by the company.
We have free teas and coffes (with a proper bean to cup machine)
Fridge full of cans of drinks bought once a month (but these dont last long!)
Douvet days (how does this work? are they taken on the day you want them or do people book these in advance?)
Extra day holiday for each year service. (with a limit)
Free training on a subject of their choice?
Staff discounts for products
Mobile phones
Private health care
Company cars
Any ideas?
We listen to Spotify in the office.
- I wouldn't see this as a perk, just a nice thing, however I could see it causing issues/frustration depending on music tastes.
Have takaway fridays paid for by the company.
- Great idea which gets old fast. If like my office people are constantly on different diets etc and the tempation of office junk food is too much as it is, never mind with the company getting involved every week. As a once in a blue moon great, every week; no.
We have free teas and coffes (with a proper bean to cup machine)
- Pretty standard in offices now-a-days
Fridge full of cans of drinks bought once a month (but these dont last long!)
- Like it, but as with the takeaways. Too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing.
Douvet days (how does this work? are they taken on the day you want them or do people book these in advance?)
- Do you mean similar to work from home days? I like these, depending on the staff honesty/trust and your line of work. It's so refreshing asking the boss if you can work from home because you have a delivery/appointment, man-flu, feeling down etc and they say - "yeah sure". We have them at work. usually a few days notice is rrequired and it's written into the contract that way (more so to stop people taking the mick) but a quick phone in the morning is fine. I've also noticed with WFH days people rarely take paid sick days any more, they are always usually WFH days unless they are seriously ill. I think because employers/HR adopt 'no questions asked', there is no return to works rubbish and employees still feel a sense of responsibility and do some work. It's a win win really.
Extra day holiday for each year service. (with a limit)
- Love it, but I'd say after a certain amount of service. Our company you get 1 day per year (up to 7) starting after 3 years of service.
Free training on a subject of their choice?
- Good, but a smart business would be a subject of your choice(s) - so skills can be transferred to the business. Subject to training cost being paid back if the employee leaves within a certain period.
Staff discounts for products
- Yes, love it. Nothing better than cheap stuff.
Mobile phones
- Why? Do you need them? Everyone has their own now-a-days, carrying two is a pain in the arse and work phones aren't all they are cracked up to be, you never get any peace and quiet.
Private health care
- Absolutely. Knowing a company is there in your time of need is such a good thing. I've never needed mine at work, but if I did I'd be so grateful.
Company cars
- As mobile phones. Although some people would love a company car, as a business giving these out for no other reason than a perk seems a little OTT?
Personally for me, I'd like to see flexible working hours. Not just come in 1 hour late, leave 1 hour early or make it up later in the week. But a truly flexible working lifestyle. How many times have you been sat at your desk at 4pm clock watching with nothing to do but you're biting your nails as you have a lot of jobs at home? What a waste of everyones time. This obviously only works if you can't quantify working hours and have trust worthy staff who regularly give back (working till 7pm so they can finish that one task etc).
Either way, you are going in a good direction. You sound as if you really care for your staff and their needs. Well done my man. If you're ever hiring let me know
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Thursday 11th June 14:49
Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Thursday 11th June 14:57
PoleDriver said:
plasticpig said:
PoleDriver said:
Are there any perks which aren't taxable?
Personal use of a company mobile phone.
plasticpig said:
PoleDriver said:
plasticpig said:
PoleDriver said:
Are there any perks which aren't taxable?
Personal use of a company mobile phone.Thankfully the nature of my work allows this attitude.
Plus I have my own mobile with unlimited everything and can still check work emails if needed on that.
EnthusiastOwned said:
Personally for me, I'd like to see flexible working hours. Not just come in 1 hour late, leave 1 hour early or make it up later in the week. But a truly flexible working lifestyle. How many times have you been sat at your desk at 4pm clock watching with nothing to do but you're biting your nails as you have a lot of jobs at home? What a waste of everyones time. This obviously only works if you can't quantify working hours and have trust worthy staff who regularly give back (working till 7pm so they can finish that one task etc).
Lately this is how I've been feeling at work. Real flexible work hours would be a god send. Even the option to work from home say once or twice a month. To be honest I've never understood most companies policy on working from home. The work either gets done or it doesn't and if it doesn't then sack the employee. No different to office work in my eyes but I am black and white at times and miss the grey.
A gym would always be a bonus for me but most companies seem to be really paranoid that their employees are going to kill themselves using a treadmill.
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