Mental health and stress management are not one-size-fits-all, and employees may have different concerns about stress in the workplace. Staff are generally reluctant to engage in secondary activities that would take up their working hours, as this would mean that their workload is multiplied. If the classes are outside working hours, they would expect compensation.

However, mental health benefits are critical to attracting top talent. In a survey, 92% said it supports mental health it is a requirement for them to consider a job. Instead of offering classes and seminars, you can offer paid mental health leave and include therapy in their medical benefits.

2. Unlimited PTO

Unlimited PTO gives employees more days off than average. While companies may see this approach as a desirable package, this approach leaves room for interpretation and needs to be more specific in many organizations.

Ironic, workers with unlimited PTO they have less work-life balance. In 2023, employees offered this ranked benefit 3.24% less work-life balance than those who did not. They spend too 10% to 30% less departure time from work than those with accrued PTO. Talent with previous experience in an unlimited PTO system may be reluctant to accept a job with benefits. Jobs with unlimited PTO take longer to fill, averaging 41.4 days compared to other vacancies.

Despite this, unlimited PTO is still a popular benefit, with 72% of employees appreciating the system in their workplace. As part of the management team, you are responsible for making the system work by promoting work-life balance, putting in place appropriate guidelines to ensure strict implementation or replacing with floating holidays and flexible time off.

3. Snack stations

Office food benefits are a nice perk, but they are irrelevant and relatively useless compared to more significant benefits. The availability of snacks contributes to unhealthy eating habits and does people spend more time at the office than it should.

Free food causes overeating, especially as a consequence of elevated cortisol levels and stress. This, in turn, can lead to a loss of productivity and efficiency among employees. Many are asking for healthier snack options in the office, with two in five employees suggesting a healthy lunch scheme and 25% want a full lunch break away from their offices.

Unlimited food as a work benefit is great, but you should do it responsibly. Introduce healthy and diverse options for people with different food preferences and include incentives to encourage clean and healthy eating.

Related: Employee well-being is near record lows

4. On-site gyms

Like snack bars, gyms are introduced with good intentions, but they may be less used and less attractive than they might seem to many. These gyms offer free membership and are available for those who want to blow off some steam after a stressful day at work.

However, only some people are interested in gym workouts. Some prefer jogging, swimming or cycling. For them, the benefits of the on-site gym are not useful – they would rather have other advantages. Office gyms are usually equipped with the most basic amenities, so even gym goers with all-access memberships at other gyms may feel like they’re redundant.

Given that the benefits already cost a fortune average over $14 hour per employee, the additional cost of maintaining a gym that most employees may not use does not make sense for most businesses. Instead of equipping an office gym, you can offer incentives for memberships to any gyms, courts or sports clubs that employees prefer. It also includes meditative workouts like yoga and tai chi under the package.

5. Additional services

Some companies offer attractive perks such as dog-friendly workplaces, phone bill incentives and transportation to and from work. These benefits attract top talent to join an organization.

However, they also blur the line between work and personal time. Many people leave on time when they have dependents such as pets at home. With a pet-friendly office, staff tend to spend more time at work. Similarly, when the company pays for phone bills, employees may feel obligated to answer calls during off hours. Some employers also offer free transportation, but at later hours, which increases the time staff spend in the office.

To enhance these benefits, you could improve work-life balance by practicing flexible working hours, working on time or paying overtime for those who work after hours. An optimal work-life balance is a great advantage, with 39% favor it over compensation in 2022.

Relevant benefits underpin successful staff morale

Companies with good benefits have a productive, efficient and proactive workforce. Choose benefits that are useful to your employees. and also profitable for the organization.