Employee Benefits That Will Make Everyone Happy
Employee benefits can make a major difference in the workplace, from helping workers take care of their mental and physical health to making them feel valued. For employers, offering the right benefits can create new conversations about the evolving needs of the people who work for them, especially as we move forward with the pandemic. You can do several things to find unique ways to reach your employees, starting with making sure you’ve created a comfortable and inclusive workplace. Head to The Life Currency to check out the services they offer to a younger generation of employees, and think about how you can give your workers the most advantages possible.
Get to know your employees
Whether you own a large company or a small business, it’s important to get to know the people who work hard every day to help you achieve your goals. Consider their needs outside of work, such as childcare or mental health services. How can you help your employees have better access to the things they need? One easy way to get started is to create a survey that will help you determine what to focus on, and it’s important to do this more than once a year so you can stay updated as those needs change. You should also create a follow-up survey to determine whether your employees are satisfied with any changes or whether you should try a different method.
Help them relax
One surefire need that almost every employee out there has is the need to relax. Having a calm work environment is essential for the mental health of your workers, and it can minimize distractions so that everyone can focus on their productivity. Rearrange the office furniture to give everyone their own space, or allow for a dog-friendly office by letting a couple of people at a time bring their pets in for the day (staggering visits will prevent issues between the animals and will prevent distractions). Use natural light in every space as much as possible, as this has several advantages including lessening the effects of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Get flexible
Flexibility is the name of the game when you want to keep your employees happy, and another way to boost their mental health is to stay flexible when it comes to working hours. For those who have health issues, childcare problems or a long commute, offering remote work is an easy way to help your employees while ensuring that their work will still get done. You can also keep it loose in the office by giving everyone a half-day on Fridays, or allowing full-time employees to take one paid Friday per month off. This is a small act that can have a big impact for many.
Keep their health a priority
While adding days off and remote work can help those who are dealing with health issues, it’s also a good idea to make employee health a priority. Start an office-wide health initiative by creating a spot to practice yoga stretches or offering a free gym membership. Provide healthy snacks in the break room and plenty of water and healthy drinks. Let your employees know that if they need access to help for their mental well-being–such as a counselor or therapist–you’ll help them find resources. You can also look at health insurance plans that cover the costs of these benefits.
Coming up with creative ways to make your employees happy can take some time, but it helps if you speak to them directly and find out more about their needs. Stay in touch with your workers throughout the year so you can adjust your company’s benefits accordingly.