As pandemic restrictions ease and bosses try to entice staff back to offices, some companies are turning once again to these kinds of special incentives. For the past decade or so, it has sometimes felt like companies have been in a perks arms race to attract talent. But now workers want something different from their employers
Study after study has shown that employees are thinking far more holistically about potential jobs
People are looking for workplaces that accommodate their changing, individualized needs
- Could the office perk as we know it is redundant as an incentive – or is it simply evolving into something that looks very different?
Values and purpose
People want to feel that they’re working at a place they care about
- Employers who give their staff the means and time to engage in activities that speak to their morals and values may have the upper hand in employee engagement
- The pandemic has really highlighted the importance of having an organization that trusts and values you
- As the world gradually reopens, employers should actively engage their staff in discussions about what perks they actually want, and will make use of
The ‘nice to haves’
The pandemic has made many people re-evaluate their working lives.
Workplace perks
A tempting office will be an extension of your home, but without the chaos
- The workplace is a sanctuary for some, where they can have peace and quiet, and for others to have the sense of energy, belonging and social interaction
- Companies should focus on the elements workers increasingly see as valuable
- Training, progression, some autotomy and, perhaps most importantly, flexibility
