The hospitality sector, including food markets, restaurants, cafés, pubs, and hostels, is increasingly focusing on employee perks to attract and retain talent.
Loungers, a UK hospitality firm operating Brightsides, Lounges, and Cosy Clubs chains, recently held LoungeFest for its 7,000 staff, offering perks such as food stalls, music, rides, and parties.
Perks have become more than just superficial incentives; they can significantly influence job decisions.
In a poll conducted by Open Study College, 60% of employees acknowledged that perks play a significant role in their decision-making process for a new position.
Companies are offering various appealing perks, from high-performance incentives to private health insurance, to keep up with the changing landscape and expectations.
Some employers have started introducing on-site perks like fitness classes or catered meals as they bring teams back into the office.
However, the popularity of flexible work arrangements poses a challenge.
In the study conducted by Yonder and MoreySmith, approximately six in ten respondents expressed a preference for going to the office only if the benefits offered exceeded their travel costs.
"some perks and benefits are important enough to applicants that they are almost as important a consideration as the salary."
Peter Duris
Perks can range from tangible benefits like gym memberships, on-site baristas, massages, and parties, to intangible ones like remote work or enhanced parental leave that improve employees' quality of life.
Rob, a new father from East Lothian, was deciding between jobs when his partner discovered she was pregnant.
The generous and well-considered enhanced paternity leave policy of the company played a significant role in Rob's decision to accept the job offer, as a new father from East Lothian, seeking a better balance between work and family life.
While some companies may offer perks as part of a flimsy ploy, known as "perkwashing," genuine efforts can lead to employee satisfaction and reduced turnover, ultimately contributing to a positive work environment.