However, most people overlook some office perks that would help employees stay motivated and feel appreciated. Employees want a work environment that encourages fun and helps them be more productive.
They want an environment that is supportive of their wants and needs. Many companies however have set a standard where the perks are extreme making than a work environment. Some perks can even become distractions, especially if they’re not wanted or usable.
Besides perks like medical and dental benefits, employees are looking for companies that think outside the box and create an atmosphere that makes employees want to spend time there.
So here are a few perks that you should consider for your team:
Shuttle services for employees and members
Getting to work is not always easy and it isn’t cheap. Help from the employer will be greatly appreciated. Commuter assistance can range from things such as company shuttle service that gets employees from home to work to financial assistance to cover the cost of train or bus tickets.
Some workspaces with more than one location offer shuttle services for their members and employees to make their commute easy. In some instances, the services are not totally free, but the members get to enjoy discounted offers. One great example is our recent partnership with SWVL, a premium alternative to public transportation in Africa that allows you book fixed rate affordable rides.
Swvl created a premium product that will allow our members and the public move between Karen, Kilimani and Westlands at affordable rates saving you money and most importantly time.
Another great example is Microsoft is among those well-known companies that have understood the advantage of commuter assistance. The tech-giant offers free bus-services and free cycle tune-ups for those that cycle to work, for example.
Child care facilities
Most of your employees could be struggling with maintaining a work-life balance especially in instances where they prefer long working hours or take long hours to commute to and from work. Onsite childcare facilities allow parents check up on the kids during the work day and it gives extra guarantees everything is going well with the kids. On-site childcare can also make the commute easier, as you don’t need to drop off the kids at a different location.
Workshop trainings for members and employees
Another office perk would be hosting workshops for your members to help them keep up with the ever-changing business landscapes. For instance, hosting a digital marketing workshop for your marketing team would go a long way to help not only the employees but even your brand generally. A management and leadership skills training or workshop would go a long way to help your management team handle the rest of the team and conflicts at the workplace in a more professional way.
Onsite Library
Remember the five-hour rule practiced by most successful entrepreneurs? Well, some office spaces have onsite libraries that help members with research or even gives them an opportunity to unwind occasionally. At Nairobi Garage, though not an onsite library par sei but we have napping / reading rooms that have books and are accessible to all our members. Interestingly, most of these books are also donated by our members.
Happy Hours
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? After a long, tiring day of being creative and thought-provoking, sometimes the best cure is a happy hour drink. And if you enjoy the occasional whiskey or beer, then is this the perk for you.
For example, Nairobi Garage ends every week with the Beer Friday, giving the members a chance to interact and network over a bottle or two of beer after all its a been a long week of chasing and sealing deals.
Coffee and catered lunches
If you are looking into ways you can save time and enhance productivity from your employees, then an office space that offers this is a perk for you. An office space that has a designated a place where employees can get quick lunch and coffee helps them save on time as opposed to going to the malls or eat out places to look for food.
Gym Facilities
Some organizations have on-site fitness facilities while others simply provide vouchers to the local gyms and fitness centers. The healthier your employees are, the less you lose money on sick days. It doesn’t need to be a gym necessarily, wellness programs whether it’s yoga or spinning are popular. Another interesting take on this health perk is the support companies can provide for keeping fit. For instance, there are some organisations that have gone to the extent of providing their staff with free bicycle repairs to act as an incentive for employees to cycle to work and maintain better health.
While it would be hard to find an employee, who says ‘no’ to a salary raise, there are a number of other perks that can weigh more in making a specific company seem more attractive. Perhaps more importantly, companies should understand that it isn’t just the paycheck that matters, proper rewards can make the workplace seem attractive and help the employees feel passionate about the company and its mission. But if you aint able to pull most of these perks for your employees, well you can check into a coworking space like Nairobi Garage and we will help you get you rank as an employer of the year!
Want to join our growing business network? Book a tour today at any of our branches and check out our amazing packages!