In a Work-From-Home World, Your Company Needs Remote-friendly Perks

Rethinking company perks

In a work-from-home world, you need remote-friendly perks. Perks like foosball tables, beer on tap and catered lunches were once a popular way to attract top talent for startups. However, the hiring landscape is shifting, and to attract remote talent, companies need to rethink their employee perks and how you communicate them to your talent pool. For example, If your careers page is full of locals-only photos and in-office offerings, you might need to rethink the company perks and how to make them more inclusive for your distributed team. Here are five remote-friendly perks you can offer your team and talent to stand out and hire the best. 

A stipend for the ultimate home office setup 

When employees start work in an office environment, they benefit from getting access to everything they need from day one, a desk, monitor, equipment, office snacks, free coffee, and the list goes on. When remote employees start a new role, they may be missing out on essential supplies to create an at-home work experience that helps them do their best work. Companies like Shopify were quick in response to COVID-19, by introducing a mandatory work from home policy and giving each employee a one-time remote stipend of $1000 to purchase home office supplies such as a desk, chair, lighting, electronic equipment, monitors and more. 

Flexible or non-traditional work hours 

More and more companies are beginning to offer flexible hours to their employees. Some companies may be required due to time zone constraints, and others want to provide their employees' ownership over their work schedule. Flexible work hours improve employee happiness, giving them back control over their schedule, making room for family, personal commitments, and self-care. Not only can you expect a happier team, but also a more productive one. Research out of Stanford University, as shared by Forbes writer Adi Gaskell, discovered that, over nine months, workers with flexible arrangements:

• Achieved more

• Were off sick less often

• Worked longer hours

• Were happier in their work

An employee subscription box service for recognition 

It’s important to recognize and reward your remote team in the same way you do for local employees. For example, an in-office employee might get a card or a cupcake for their birthday, whereas a remote employee misses out. A great way to ensure equality is with a remote-friendly employee subscription box service, like Chocolate Soup. No matter their location in the world, every employee can be delivered a curated gift box to celebrate important milestones like their work anniversary or birthday. A physical gift is a great way to show you care in a fun and engaging way. 

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Team-building virtual experiences 

In-person team building events and corporate retreats are on hold for now, but there’s a new type of experience becoming increasingly popular—virtual team-building experiences. Companies like Moniker are seamlessly delivering remote team-building experiences like a virtual murder mystery, a pitch-it competition, and a 3D virtual escape room. All designed to connect your distributed team and give them a sense of community, which is more important now than ever before. Engaging, fun and an inclusive way for your employees to destress and get to know each other better.

Offer a wellness or lifestyle credit

A wellness credit is a personalized way of offering your remote employees a way to focus on their health and self-care, on their terms. A healthy team is a happy team, so giving your employees a budget to spend on physical activities, a gym membership or equipment helps promote physical wellness. A flexible credit works so well for remote teams because distributed employees may have different lifestyles depending on their climate and location, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always work. Giving your hard-working team members a choice ensures inclusivity and personalized experience.