Team member benefits provide motivation and inspiration, and these days there are more options than ever before. Whether you want to put together big-ticket items as rewards or focus on smaller, everyday benefits that everyone can take advantage of, it’s important to think outside the box.
It also helps to find out what your employees want most.
Healthcare and paid time off are two of the most popular team member benefits. But are they enough to show your gratitude for all the hard work? For example, do they need more help with childcare?
Consider using a survey to find out what your team members could really benefit from – you might be surprised by what you learn!
And look for tools that will allow both you and your employees to make the workday a bit easier. TimeForge is a great place to start, especially if you need help with scheduling, task management, or communication.
What are team member benefits?
Team member benefits are the perks provided to employees above and beyond their regular salaries and wages. Benefits may include things like medical insurance, vacation time, gym memberships, and other incentives designed to support employees’ health and well-being.
Team member benefits are also sometimes referred to as fringe benefits.
Team member benefits to consider offering this year
So what are some team member benefits that are trending this year? To get you started, here are a few popular ideas that will make everyone on your team happy:
Create fun health initiatives
Your company may provide healthcare benefits already, but you can take that one step further by offering healthy office snacks, free yoga classes or tutorials on how to practice desk stretches, or fun group activities such as bike rides through the local park.
If your team members seek extra fun and adventures, you can offer rides across the coastline by electric beach cruiser bikes.
Start a conversation about your team members’ specific needs; some may be struggling with chronic illness or mental health issues, and while it’s important to maintain confidentiality, you can remain flexible and let them know that you’re there to help.
Offer up some excitement
While focusing on your team’s health is a great way to show you care, you can also reward hard work with some fun.
Host a barbecue or pool party, or consider paying for a day out at the ballpark, where everyone can forget about work obligations for a while and enjoy a game.
Whether you want to get a deal on Astros tickets or score seats for a Texas Rangers game, you can arrange for tickets online by searching for the date you want and the number of seats you need. You can even buy tickets in bulk for bigger savings, and you’ll get access to spring training meets as well as games.
If you employ a lot of sports fans, this is a great way to show your appreciation or to treat your employees after a particularly long week.
Revitalize your workspace
You can also bring more fun to your work environment, as well.
If your business is office-based, think about how you can improve the space for everyone. Many major companies have created a more relaxed atmosphere for employees in order to allow for creativity and reduce stress.
This is possible even in a retail environment by making changes to the break room area. You might also provide an option to work outdoors, setting up tables with umbrellas and comfortable chairs for those who could benefit from some vitamin D.
Reduce stress for parents
For some employees, the best benefits aren’t fun-based; they’re need-based, meaning benefits that meet their immediate needs. This might include help with tuition, or paying for things like childcare.
With the cost of living on the rise, it’s important to many employees that they have help with keeping their children safe and healthy, especially those who don’t have friends or family members to assist them.
Consider adding a stipend for family needs, which will also be helpful to those who are caring for older adults.
Go remote where possible
It can also be helpful to offer remote work opportunities where you can (for example, if you have corporate office staff).
Those who are living with chronic illness or disabilities, those who have a long commute, and those who need to get out of town on an extended holiday will appreciate the flexibility that remote work affords them.
Remote work offers advantages for you as well. Remote workers save your company money in the long run. Because they’re often able to focus more easily on certain tasks outside of any office distractions, they’ll be more productive. Not only that, but when they come back to work on-site, they’ll be rested, recharged, and ready for change.
Offer flexible working hours
If you can’t offer remote work, you might still consider offering flexible working hours as a team member benefit.
This could mean allowing team members to choose their own start and end times or offering them the opportunity to take additional breaks throughout the day.
For those who need a little extra flexibility, you might also consider providing unpaid time off for personal business or family needs.
These measures will not only help team members feel like they have more control over their lives, but they’ll also help to reduce stress levels.
Provide volunteer opportunities
If you’re looking for another way to show your team that you care, consider offering volunteer opportunities. Many companies will allow their teams to take a few days off each year to do charity work or help out in the local community – this is known as volunteer time off (VTO).
Not only is volunteering a great way to give back, but it could also be an opportunity for team members to bond and get to know each other better.
As an added bonus, volunteering will make your company look good, especially to Generation Y employees.
Subsidize things your team members care about
Finally, you might also consider offering subsidies for team members who wish to take time off for vacation or personal development.
This could include paying for classes, conferences, or even travel expenses. These investments will show your team that you care about their growth and development as well as their well-being.
These are just a few of the ways that you can show your team members that you care about them and their overall health. By making small changes in the office environment, offering flexible work hours, and subsidizing things that your team members care about, you’ll be able to create an environment where everyone feels supported and appreciated.
Team member benefits should support the team
Businesses should strive to create a workplace environment that supports and encourages the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their team members.
Ultimately, showing your employees that you care and are invested in their well-being is a great way to build loyalty and trust within the team. By taking the time to invest in understanding what your employees need and then providing them with benefits that meet those needs, you’ll be well on your way to creating a more productive and successful workplace.
Finding the right team member benefits can take some time, and to be most effective, it also requires their input. Talk to your team members to find out which changes make the most sense for everyone. Then, look into ways you can make the most of the new benefits on your budget.
