I’m researching the issue of unique company perks for the upcoming revision of 48 Days to the Work You Love. And yes, I’m finding that in today’s competitive marketplace, companies are getting creative about attracting top talent. Higher salary is just not 
enough to stand out from all the other options great candidates have today. 95 percent of Americans say they consider a job’s perks before deciding to accept an offer. Leading companies overcome the challenge by creating unique benefits and opportunities.
- Google offers some pretty sweet benefits. No need for employees to pack a sandwich for lunch or rush home to cook dinner. Free food for lunch and dinner is just one of the many perks here. Employees also enjoy oil changes and car washes, massages and yoga, a play room, back-up child care assistance, and $12,000 in annual tuition reimbursement.
- Employees at New York based Deloitte don’t have to just dream about traveling in Europe or volunteering in Africa. The company offers everyone four unpaid weeks off to do whatever they wish, and three to six months of partially paid leave to volunteer or pursue a career-enhancing opportunity.
- Employees of Venice, CA bases JibJab Media who make it in to work by 10 AM Monday mornings are rewarded with free laundry service. All of the company’s employees get a laundry bag to cram as full as possible. What they can fit inside gets washed, folded and returned the next day.
- At Software Advice, employees are encouraged to work remotely from anywhere in the world for a month each year. To date, employees have telecommuted from France, Spain and Vietnam.
- FlexJobs allows its employees to perform under a “Results Only Work Environment” (ROWE). Employees set their own schedules and are not held to any certain number of hours each day. As long as they are accomplishing the goals and are staying “productive and innovative” it doesn’t matter when or how they work.
- After five years at Ruby Receptionists, employees qualify for the “Five at Five” program – a paid five-week sabbatical. The program provides employees a chance to pursue a dream or activity just for the pure joy of it. In preparation for their sabbatical, employees receive an individual coaching session and a $1000 grant for their adventure.
- At 2HB, a company that provides Systems Engineering and Software Engineering services, employees receive a $50 grooming perk each month. They can use that money for a manicure, pedicure, or just to get a nice hair cut to get that added boost of self-confidence that comes from looking great.
Right now I’m hearing from a lot of people who would be happy to have a job – with just a regular paycheck. And yet companies are feeling the pressure to add these kinds of perks to attract top players. What would it take to really wow you in considering a new job offer?
What is something unique you’re enjoying where you are now?
