The best workplace perks and benefits for 2022

If you’re looking for new employees 2022, then you’ll want to think about workplace perks and benefits. Workplace perks and benefits can make a particular new role especially attractive, especially if employees know what they’re looking for from their next job. Not quite sure what workplace perks and benefits employees are looking for?

We’ve put together a guide on what workplace benefits are, why they’re important, and what workplace perks and benefits employees are looking for in 2022!    

What are workplace benefits?

Workplace perks and benefits are things that are provided on top of a salary/wage. They can include a myriad of things: overtime, flexible working arrangements, different hours, extra annual leave, insurance and commission, just to name a few.

Depending on your industry, workplace perks and benefits may or may not be expected. However, if you’re looking to attract and retain the best talent in the industry, then providing workplace perks and benefits can help you become a highly attractive potential employer, putting you ahead of your competition.

Why are workplace benefits important?

Not all employees are going to be looking for the highest wage/salary possible – for some, employee perks and benefits will be the deciding factor when they’re looking for their next job. Some of the reasons that employees often search for the best employee benefits and perks available to them when looking for a new role include:

• Employee perks and benefits can help them save on things they’d otherwise spend money on
• They are a good way to decide between two workplaces if it’s difficult to split them otherwise
• They make employees’ lives easier in a range of ways – and who doesn’t want that?

It’s also important to understand why they’re important as an employer, especially if you’ve never considered providing employee perks and benefits before. Some of the reasons you should consider providing employee benefits, or increasing the range of employee perks you provide include:

• They’re a great way to make employees feel valued
• They are a smart way to ensure the hard work of employees gets recognised
• They’re an excellent motivation tool for when a big project needs to get completed

A study by Gallup found that 28% of employees feel that the most memorable form of recognition comes from their manager, which is why employee perks and benefits can improve employee morale drastically. If you’re looking for a highly effective way to motivate your employees and build long-lasting relationships with the members of your workforce, then consider bringing in some employee benefits and perks.

What workplace benefits do employees desire the most?

1. The ability to work from home.
2. Flexible working hours.
3. Mental health services.
4. The opportunity to upskill.

If you’re looking to put together a range of employee perks and benefits, then it’s important to know what employees want most. If “The Great Resignation” has shown anything, it’s that employees understand better than ever that there are certain things they won’t compromise on – so your business needs to be able to accommodate (reasonable) employee wishes. 

Some of the workplace benefits and perks employees are looking for include:

1. The ability to work from home.

The pandemic has shown how much employees value working from home – less time spent commuting, no travel costs associated with going to/from work, and more time to spend with loved ones.

Being able to provide a hybrid working arrangement means that your hiring pool is larger – by making WFH available for part/all of the working week, you’ll be able to hire employees in other states and countries, rather than choosing from those that live near your office/s or are happy to commute each day.

2. Flexible working hours.

Not everyone is suited to working 9-5 – for example, if parents want to be there for school pick-up and drop-off, then they’ll need slightly altered hours. Being able to work around the needs of your employees means you can demonstrate that you’re truly invested in your workforce’s happiness, which means that attracting the best talent is that much easier.

3. Mental health services.

Giving your employees the ability to access mental health services is an important part of creating an open, inviting workplaces for all. Making free counselling sessions available to employees proves that you’re invested in their personal and professional wellbeing and gives them a chance to work through any problems that may arise inside and outside of the workplace.

4. The opportunity to upskill.

No-one wants their career to stagnate when they go to a new employer. It’s important to provide your workforce with opportunities to grow their skill sets through providing them with opportunities to try new roles, as well as giving them the chance to complete further study. Both you and your employees benefit when they’re given the opportunity to gain new skills, and it’s an easy way to demonstrate your belief in your workforce.

Upskilled’s range of nationally recognised qualifications can be completed online, so your employees can gain new, practical skills while continuing to work for your business. No matter what industry you’re in, giving your employees the chance to improve their skill set shows that you’re committed to investing in their growth, so that when it comes time to hire new talent, they’ll choose you over your competition.