Nearly three-quarters — 72% — of organizations have boosted their benefits offerings to retain employees in the past year, according to 2018 research from the Society for Human Resource Management. As one of the top manufacturing recruiters in Chicago, Premium Staffing, Inc. has witnessed firsthand the draw great perks have on top talent.
Candidates definitely appreciate a comprehensive healthcare plan, retirement benefits and a couple weeks of paid time off, but these perks are pretty standard. If you really want to stand out, you have to take things up a notch.
Seven Employee Perks to Attract Top Talent
Flexible Work Options
The days of requiring employees to be in the office every day from 9am to 5pm are long gone. Sure, you need all hands on deck during certain days and times, but when you don’t, give people some freedom with their schedule. This could mean flextime, allowing people to work from home, letting them set their own hours or a combination of them.
Unlimited Vacation Time
In the past, two weeks’ vacation was the standard, but things have changed. Top employers are now allowing workers to have unlimited vacation time, which is certainly attractive. If you’re concerned people will take it too far, set ground rules for this perk.
Tuition Assistance
The best and brightest professionals have a hunger for knowledge. Tuition assistance isn’t a new perk, but it’s very appreciated. Offer as much financial support as possible to entice top performers eager to learn.
Student Loan Assistance
The average student loan debt in 2017 was $37,172, according to Debt.org. It’s very likely many candidates, especially from the millennial generation, are saddled with college loans. A perk that helps them relive this financial obligation faster definitely won’t go unnoticed.
Paid Parental Leave
Welcoming a new child into the world is a huge life change, but only 38% of companies offer a distinct paid parental leave program, according to 2017 data from WorldatWork. Offering this type of benefit will be a huge draw to employees in their childbearing years. Since this perk is so rare, people really appreciate an employer generous enough to offer it.
Pet-Friendly Workplace
Humans really love their furry friends, so the ability to bring them to work can be pretty hard to pass up. Having cute little mascots in the building is bound to lift everyone’s spirits, lowering stress levels and making work more fun.
Paid Time Off to Volunteer
Giving back to the community is very important to many people, but finding the time to do it can be a challenge. Allowing employees a few paid days off per year to volunteer at an organization close to their heart makes them feel good about themselves and their employer.
Ready to add high-level manufacturing or engineering talent to your Chicago company? Premium Staffing, Inc. has you covered. You pay nothing until you hire a candidate we recommend, so get in touch today to start your risk-free search!