Perks That Work: Employee Benefits and Engagement 

Employees are no longer motivated by a salary alone. To really engage them, you must provide a comprehensive employee benefits package that exceeds regular expectations and go above and beyond to meet their needs.  

Offering employee benefits is not only beneficial for the employee but also for the employer. In fact, studies have shown that companies that offer robust employee benefits packages have higher employee morale, greater employee retention rates, and increased productivity. 

 Get your reading glasses on, we are bringing out the good stuff but first, let’s take a look at the not-so-good! 

The danger of neglected expectations 

Not providing employee benefits can be a dangerous move for companies in today’s job market. Research indicates only 55% of employed participants said that their employer has their best interests in mind.  

Overlooking what your team needs to stay stimulated is certainly one way to ensure you have a less engaged workforce, but you also run the risk of: 

• Lower job satisfaction 
• Higher staff turnover rates 
• Lack of potential to attract and retain top talent 

We both know that you would rather cultivate a healthy workplace culture than constantly feel guilty and pressured to do better. 

Having a small business does not have to mean small benefits.  

The new hierarchy of needs 

We won’t patronise you with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, but there is absolute truth behind his theory. 

According to Forbes, the pandemic has caused a staggeringly low employee engagement rate, at just 21% proving that workers are ‘emotionally detached’ and ‘miserable’ at work. It was definitely a challenging time for us all, and the road to recovery is a long one. 

On top of this, we are enduring a cost-of-living crisis which is only adding to the unveiled anxiety and depression we face as a nation. 

Now more than ever, we must work hard to engage our employees in new and relevant ways. 

The good stuff 

There are plenty of ways to show you’re a caring employer. The most obvious and effective way is employee benefits and a strong workplace culture.  

Here is where you reach for your notebook, we are getting to the nitty gritty. 

Wellness Benefits 

Mental health benefits are a critical component of a comprehensive employee benefits package. They can take multiple forms such as; mental health support and awareness training, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), on-site yoga or meditation and private healthcare. 

Nomad Policies 

It has become the norm to work remotely since the dire year of 2020. It has been proven repeatedly that having the option of hybrid work has a positive effect on employee satisfaction. Why not add some frills to remote working and become the cream of the crop by incorporating a Nomad Policy?  

Put it this way, would you be happier taking Zoom calls hunched under an offensive LED light or perched under a parasol?  

Excite yourself more by reading our Nomad Policy blog. 

Bullying and Harassment Policies 

You would think as adults that bullying was a thing of the past.  

However, it still occurs and can really put a dent in people’s confidence, engagement, and productivity. To avoid such happenings, establish a clear anti-bullying policy that outlines the behaviours that are considered bullying and the consequences for those who engage in such behaviour.  

Human Resources Information System (HRIS) 

HRIS is a software solution that streamlines HR functions and processes, such as recruitment, time and attendance tracking, and performance management. Implementing an HRIS system can help improve your strategic approach to HR and increase staff engagement by streamlining processes. 

Collaboration and Culture 

Collaborative working leads to employees feeling more connected to their colleagues and invested in the team’s goals. Collaboration promotes a sense of shared purpose and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and engagement. 

When employees feel united, they are more likely to enjoy coming to work and become more engaged in their activities.  

How are you engaging your employees? 

We understand that running a business is hard. However, you must appreciate the people who make it all possible.  

Answer these questions below, and take time to study your answers 

• Are you providing any of the above solutions for your workforce? 
• What type of benefits do you think your employees would value the most? 
• Are you actively listening to employee feedback and taking action to address concerns? 
• What steps has your organisation taken to promote work-life balance and employee wellness? 

Don’t let your answers cause you stress, there is always room for improvement in every business! 

Reach out to Tercus HR to ease your mind and begin seeing a real change in both employee engagement and business performance.