While many companies think offering remote work and flexible schedules is enough of a perk, employees are looking for more. Attract the best employees and retain top talent by offering the virtual employee perks that employees really want.
With remote and hybrid jobs gaining popularity, many employees have come to expect these setups and no longer view them as perks. Your company must offer more to stay relevant in a competitive job market.
Research conducted by SHRM reported that job listings that mentioned virtual employee perks received 22% more applicants than similar listings that didn’t offer them or failed to mention these benefits.
What Are Virtual Employee Perks?
Virtual employee perks are benefits that an employer offers to their remote employees. They can be anything from flexible hours to monthly wellness stipends.
According to a study by United Insurance, 78% of employees said they are more likely to stay with an employer because of their benefits program. In comparison, 49% are likely to seek a new job due to dissatisfaction or confusion about the benefits offered. Retaining current employees benefits everyone involved, considering the average cost of hiring a new employee is approximately $4,000.
What Are the Benefits of Offering Virtual Employee Perks?
- Providing perks to virtual employees cultivates a positive work environment, boosting morale and job satisfaction.
- Personalized benefits, such as flexible schedules and remote work allowances, attract top talent and enhance employee retention.
- Health and wellness programs contribute to improved well-being and increased productivity.
- Virtual team-building activities and social perks foster a sense of connection and camaraderie among remote workers, mitigating feelings of isolation. Remote workers often struggle to connect with coworkers and disconnect from work, which can damage their mental health.
- Educational and professional development opportunities demonstrate a commitment to employee growth and enhanced skill sets.
Ultimately, offering perks to virtual employees strengthens the employer-employee relationship and contributes to a more motivated, engaged, and resilient workforce.
10 Most Desirable Virtual Employee Perks to Offer
- Flexible Work Hours: Allowing employees to set their own schedules promotes work-life balance and accommodates individual preferences.
- Remote Work Stipend: Providing financial support for home office expenses, internet costs, or ergonomic equipment demonstrates a commitment to employees’ comfort and productivity.
- Health and Wellness Programs: Offering virtual fitness classes, wellness apps, or mental health resources supports employees’ overall well-being.
- Professional Development Opportunities: Investing in remote training, workshops, or educational courses helps employees enhance their skills and advance their careers.
- Virtual Team-Building Activities: Organizing online team events, games, or social gatherings fosters a sense of community and combats isolation.
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO): Granting flexible PTO policies promotes trust and allows employees to manage their time effectively.
- Tech Upgrades: Providing the latest tools and technologies for remote work ensures employees have the necessary resources to succeed.
- Subscription Services: Offering subscriptions to popular streaming services, meal delivery, or other lifestyle perks adds a personal touch to remote work benefits.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Providing counseling services or resources for mental health support reinforces a caring company culture.
- Recognition and Rewards: Acknowledging and rewarding remote employees for their achievements, milestones, or exceptional work reinforces a positive work culture and motivates continued excellence.
Looking for something more? Check out the benefits these major companies are offering:
- Netflix’s parental leave policy is to “take care of your baby and yourself.” You can take unlimited parental leave during the first year after your baby is born (or adopted). Netflix says that most parents take between four and eight months off.
- Amazon’s Career Choice Program offers to pre-pay 100% of tuition costs for employees who want to study and learn skills after just three months of employment.
- Apple offers employees a $300 per month stipend for a gym membership.
- Spotify offers lifetime access to fertility assessments, IVF, adoption services, education, and more.
- LinkedIn’s PerkUp bonus gives employees $2,000 yearly for gym memberships, massages, pet or child care, house cleaning services, etc.
