The Best Workplace Perks and Benefits for 2022
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By now we’ve all heard of the Great Resignation; employees changing jobs or leaving the workforce entirely, en masse, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Microsoft survey of more than 30,000 global workers showed that 41% of workers were considering quitting or changing professions this year. There are a number of reasons people are looking for a change, from shifting priorities to the way their employer treated them during the pandemic, but the result is that employers are scrambling to come up with innovative ways to attract and retain employees.
Many businesses have started offering a slew of gimmicky perks to entice workers; with Mario Kart Monday, Waffle Wednesday, and bring-your-pet-to-work day being some of the examples. Perks like this may be fun, but as they don’t address any real needs they won’t keep employees engaged long term. In fact, a recent study shows that employees are not nearly as interested in office perks as you may think, and are instead thinking far more holistically about the workplace. MetLife found that 74% of employees are concerned about at least one aspect of their wellbeing as a result of the pandemic.
“Now is the time for us to look after the people who work for us. When a company steps up at a time like this, it builds loyalty, commitment, and long-lasting teams.”
Whether you want to attract new employees or simply retain the ones you already have, it’s clear that the perks and benefits you offer will have a major impact on your success. So, as we approach 2022, what benefits do employees desire most?
Greater recognition. In tough times, appreciation goes a long way. Get this right and you’ll improve productivity, loyalty, and engagement.
A comprehensive benefits package. Top of the list is health insurance, which 86% of employees consider essential. Employees are also keen to see a decent amount of paid time-off and other benefits like childcare provision.
Agile work options. Employees want a workplace that allows them the flexibility to work where and how best suits them, their work, and their workload.
Employee discounts. Depending on the business, discounted access to your company’s products or services can be an exciting perk.
Compassion. The pandemic shone a light on how companies handle the health and happiness of their employees, and many fell short of expectations. Employees are looking for benefits like sufficient time to address personal needs, time off for mental health, and free counselling sessions.
Values and purpose. Employees increasingly want meaningful, rewarding work and a sense of purpose. The younger generation, in particular, wants to work for a company they care about, and that aligns with their values.
Wellness. Safety is important to COVID-conscious employees, who want safety measures like windows they can open and office provisions such as bike storage.
Investment in training opportunities. Employees want to work for a company that invests in their career development; doing so increases engagement and helps attract the talent you need to keep growing.
The Great Resignation has the potential to bring about meaningful, lasting change to workplace culture. As expectations increase, businesses that invest in employees’ development and overall wellbeing will have a competitive advantage.