Work perks

[Girlofgold]

I'm looking for cost effective ideas/ good ways to provide perks to employees. What kind of perks do people either provide or enjoy as part of their work packages. If you are an employer, which ones do you rate? Thanks!

@BikeRunSki yes UK, and I'm well aware but we are expected to bring our own or buy bottled from our workplace!

Astonished about the number of people getting free food and drink, including alcohol at work. Is that really considered 'usual'?

@BarbaraofSevillle in some industries, yes.

In the mid-80s, a non-for-profit pension fund company I worked for in the US had summer hours so, officially you worked from 8 am until 5, compared to 9 - 4.30 (don't get thrilled; all the professional staff worked past official day end even then) but everyone had a three day weekend from Whit weekend (Memorial Day) to the beginning of September (Labour Day). If you didn't work Friday, you had Monday off. The hours were the same per week, but it was lovely. And because Fridays and Mondays were slightly more casual, the very strict dress code was relaxed, which was also good, because NYC in summer can be like living in a kettle.

There was also a medical/nursing office on site who could do all the basic stuff and would send test results to your own doctor, deal with anti-allergy and minor complaints.

ANd as it was a pension and insurance company, those benefits were generous. Good quality health insurance in the US is very important, though I was then very young and fit. Decent subsidised catering. Before that I worked for Forbes magazine, where the bennies included unlimited family medical AND DENTAL insurance after 6 months (unheard of), plus gym and trainer.

But nowhere did holiday entitlement go above 21 days a year.

Free tea and coffee
Free cereal & toast
Flexible working hours
Can take a day off at short notice for no reason
Beers, wines and snacks on a Friday (when we finish around 4.30)
Can take my dog to work

Can't think of any perks in my workplace. Last place did free exercise classes which were good.

Coffee would be nice!

We have:

• Tea/coffee/ milk
• Fruit bowl
• Healthcare
• Hamper at Christmas

My last employer used to have cereal in the kitchen for us all to use, which was much appreciated!

Our best one (we don't have many 😂) is 1/2 price cinema tickets and food/drinks. We use it all the time as we love the cinema. Cash back via our work app when shopping online is handy too.

DH can now work flexitime which is a huge help at times and I'm sure most employees would love that if it was feasible.

I work in the voluntary sector and we don't get many perks as it's public money. We do get flexi time which I love. I had an extra three weeks holiday last year from building up flexi time and there wasn't ever a problem about starting late or leaving early as long as it was accurately recorded on my flexi sheet.

Flex time
Working from home full time, part time, few hours, what ever you want really
Free tea coffee
Discounted canteen
Health insurance for you partner and kids
3 volunteering days a year
More than standard annual leave
Pay for your education/ courses

It's great, I love it but you will always find people who give out about the place

Flexitime would be my top request. Free tea & milk is nice, but flexitime is better.

2nd request is casual clothing being fine. Just started a new job with conventional office wear expected. I'm struggling with it.

Flexi working. I love it and it makes me stay! Public sector.

Thanks to everyone for contributing.