Employees are increasingly looking for more than just a paycheck. They want to feel valued and appreciated by their employers, so in addition to fairly compensating their employees, we encourage our clients to incorporate non-monetary incentives to attract, retain and motivate their teams.
1. Flexible Work Arrangements
Flexible work arrangements allow employees to achieve a greater work-life balance. Whether that means addressing family responsibilities like childcare/eldercare or simply having more personal time, this non-monetary benefit is a valuable way to support employees.
Flexible work arrangements can include:
- Work-from-home (WFH) days
- Flexible schedules to avoid peak traffic hours
- Once-a-month reduced hours
- Half-Day Fridays
- Late-Start Mondays
In addition to helping employers attract, retain, and motivate their employees, flexible work arrangements also benefit the employer through increased employee productivity. As reported by Forbes.com, in “a survey conducted by Airtasker, remote employees worked 1.4 more days every month, or 16.8 more days every year, than office workers.”
2. Pet-Friendly Workplace
For many, pets are part of the family. Pet-friendly workplaces can help increase employee morale, drive productivity, and support overall well-being.
“Dogs at the Workplace: A Multiple Case Study” by Elisa Wagner and Miguel Pina e Cuna, reports that employees who bring their dogs to work are happier and more productive. The study found that employees with dogs in the office are better at their jobs, more creative, and more committed to their companies than those without dogs. In addition, they were less stressed and had fewer absences from work due to illness or injury.
3. Experiential Rewards
Experiential rewards are a great way to keep your employees motivated and happy. A study from the University of British Columbia found that non-monetary incentives were just as effective in increasing performance as monetary incentives but at a fraction of the cost.
If you’re not sure where to start with this type of reward program, here are some ideas:
- Chair massages at the office
- Off-site spa/salon experiences
- On-site ice cream socials
- Local food tours
- Sporting events
- Adult arcades/ gaming facilities
In addition to creating a culture of appreciation, experiential rewards can be used to promote specific behaviors by publicly recognizing particular achievements among your team, like a social “Thank You” card.
4. Employee Wellness Programs
Employee well-being is a top priority for many companies, and it’s not hard to see why. An engaged workforce is more productive than a disengaged one—and happy employees are more likely to stay with their business long-term.
Employee well-being programs focus on improving both physical health (by providing opportunities for exercise or nutritious food) as well as mental health (by offering strategies for dealing with stress).
Wellness initiatives can include:
- Yoga classes or meditation rooms
- Walking clubs
- Company-provided, healthy snacks
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) access
By taking care of both body and mind, you can create a culture where people feel valued by the business—which makes them want to continue working there rather than look elsewhere for opportunities elsewhere!
5. Cross-Training
Let your employees try out new roles and positions. If you’re looking for a way to unite your team, consider allowing them the opportunity to learn new skills and positions in the organization. When employees have these experiences, they feel empowered and more invested in their jobs—especially when they get a chance to experience the operation from another’s perspective.
In addition to helping your employees, cross-training is crucial to emergency preparedness plans and succession planning!
6. Social Media Posts and Stories
Social media is a great tool for employee recognition. Employees love to be recognized and rewarded, and social media is a great way to do so.
One way you can use social media for employee recognition is by creating a story on Instagram or Facebook about your employees and their impact on the organization or on the local community. You could also post pictures from events that they have attended with hashtags such as “#teamworkmakesthedreamwork.”
We’re Here to Help
With so many options, it can be tough to decide where to start. Although it’s up to you to decide what will work best for your organization, you are not alone. Contact your RegisHR Manager to ask about Regis Perks, a turn-key employee recognition solution to help make your team feel appreciated and valued!
*Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be considered to be, legal or tax advice. You should consult with your own legal or tax advisor regarding your specific situation and the current laws and regulations governing benefits.
