Picking perfect perks: Employers getting creative to entice workers

Attracting and retaining high-performing workers—always a challenge—has become a struggle for many employers, leading them to rethink the perks they offer. Some are happy to offer free snacks, others hope to lure people with the promise of generous time-off policies. Do some employees want to bring their pets to work, take time off to help out with a new grandchild, or volunteer for a cause they believe in? Some employers hope to find a payoff in accommodating such wishes. 

Going beyond benefits 

Benefits—such as health insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid time off (PTO)—are expected and in some cases required by law. Many employers make a distinction between those traditional benefits and workplace perks. 

Workplace platform Monster has a list of some of the more creative perks that employers can offer, goodies such as complimentary snacks, spa and gym membership discounts, and programs providing free books that can help employees hone their skills. 

“Grandternity” leave, which provides time off for new grandparents, is another perk catching on.