According to the KPMG 2023 CEO Outlook, 64% of business leaders believe there will be a total return to office in three years. This may play out differently for organizations that use hybrid and remote work opportunities as a primary edge in the war for talent. However, if returning to the office is inevitable, organizational leaders will need to do things differently– and better– to not only attract new talent, but also retain current talent.
Here are ten small-scale office perks you can introduce to make your workforce's in-office experience more enjoyable.
Who doesn’t like free books?! If feasible for your office or workplace, consider building a small library employees can access. If you want to take this perk a step further, you can even offer employees the option to join a book club– and pay them for reading! Here at BerniePortal, we use BetterBookClub, an online rewards platform that allows employers to curate an online library of books for their employees. Employees can submit short reports and get rewarded for expanding their knowledge. I’ve heard of other organizations implementing “DEAR Time”. DEAR time requires everyone to drop everything and read for a specific time frame. Depending on the nature of your industry, DEAR time may be very disruptive to productivity, but if not, it’s a great way for you to encourage your workforce to take a step back now and then.
2. Snacks & Coffee Bar
Consider keeping your kitchen or break room stocked with snacks and, more importantly, coffee! We all know that well-fed and caffeinated teams are more productive. On days when employees come into work on an empty stomach, this small perk will make a huge impact on their day.
3. Monthly Lunch & Learns
4. Standing desks or convertible options
Working at a desk for 8+ hours a day can have very harmful effects on your employees. According to Yale Medicine:5. ‘Employee of the Month’ Parking Spot
Parking can be an additional stressor for employees, especially if you’re located in a busy city. Parking often becomes an undesirable part of an employee’s busy schedule. Introducing an ‘Employee of the Month’ parking spot helps you show recognition to exceptional employees and makes them feel special. I recommend installing a custom signpost at your workplace's best parking spot. The sign can state: “Reserved for V.I.P: [insert employee name]” or “Reserved for Employee of the Month”.
6. Casual Dress Code
I’m sure we all remember the days every meeting was held via Zoom. We could host and attend meetings in our sweats or PJs, but no one would ever know. Many employees who are required to dress up to work desperately miss these days! Luckily, employee dress code is something you have plenty of control over. You may not be able to go as far as allowing your employees to come to work in their PJs but consider transitioning to a more casual dress code that helps ensure employees feel comfortable throughout the day.
7. Nap Rooms
Unless you work for a mattress company, introducing nap time as a workplace perk won't be easy. However, it might be easier to set aside a quiet, dark room that employees can book when they need to put their heads down for a few minutes, relieve a migraine, or take a screen break.
8. Private Quiet Spaces
If you work in an open-concept office environment, you know how loud it can get. Although open-concept office spaces are great for collaboration, they can sometimes limit easily distracted employees. Additionally, employees may need to take personal calls or important client meetings and may find that larger collaboration rooms in your office are already booked. Having a set of smaller booths or pods that employees can access at any time can not only help you show employees that their personal lives matter too but can also boost productivity.
9. Flexible Schedules
Flexible schedules or “flex-time” can be a great perk for organizations that don’t use hybrid or remote work models. Flexible work hours often accommodate a working parent, an employee with a long commute, or other unique situations requiring accommodations. They allow employees to come in earlier or later in the day and leave earlier or later in the afternoon to accommodate their personal schedules. If an employee is client-facing, flex hours may not be as reasonable.
10. Outdoor Meeting Areas
Most people don’t enjoy being cooped up inside all day when it’s beautiful outside, and staying inside all day is not good for an employee’s productivity and creativity. A University of Utah study found that getting outside increases performance and nurtures creativity and problem-solving skills. Providing the option and space for employees to work outside can also boost employees’ moods and relieve stress.
When deciding which perks to introduce to your office, remember you cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Each workforce and industry has different needs, which should be reflected in your perks. I recommend surveying current employees to help you determine what they would like.
Selecting the right employee perks can improve retention, boost morale, and align your team with your company’s mission. The best employee benefits and perks should reflect your organization’s values while meeting the evolving needs of your workforce. Use these strategies to guide your decision-making process:
1. Align Perks with Your Company Values
Start by identifying the core values you want to promote—whether it's wellness, innovation, flexibility, or growth. Use those values as a framework when creating your employee perks program.
2. Gather Employee Feedback
Use employee surveys, suggestion boxes, or focus groups to learn what your team actually wants. Employee feedback is key to offering meaningful perks that improve satisfaction and engagement. Reassess regularly—perks should evolve as your organization grows.
3. Benchmark Against Industry Standards
Research what perks your competitors or similar organizations are offering. This helps you stay competitive in recruiting top talent while ensuring your employee perks package is both attractive and relevant.
4. Be Open to Change
Not every perk will be a hit—and that’s okay. Employee perks should be flexible and adaptable. If something isn’t working, revise or replace it with something that better supports your team’s needs.