Should Perks Weigh into a Job Decision?
You know about benefits – the health insurance, vacation time, holiday time, and tuition reimbursement (among other things) that can potentially add thousands of dollars to the value of your job offer.
But what about the value of perks? Perks can’t really be calculated into dollars. Free lunch on Fridays is great, but can you really calculate that into your whole package? Not really.
But perks can make you feel like a valued and respected employee. And when you feel like you are part of something bigger, it improves your outlook on your job and on your company. Simply put, perks boost morale. A free lunch on Friday might not add lots of dollars, but it saves you time and effort from having to pack a lunch or to go buy one somewhere. It’s just nice and employees enjoy it.
If you’re job hunting, consider the perks a company offers. Some can add enough value that it could tip your decision to one job over another – even if they both offer the exact same benefits and salary.
Here’s a round up of some common and not-so-common perks being offered at hospitals and healthcare facilities around the country.
Childcare centers (some on-site)
Carpool incentives and assistance
On-site gyms or subsidized gym memberships
Legal assistance
Job sharing
Compressed workweeks
Domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples
Cultural diversity training or celebrations
Adoption assistance
Leadership programs
First-time home buyers assistance
College coaching for employees’ children
Concierge services for daily errands
Recognition days for employees
Bonuses for making successful referrals
Health and wellness incentives and opportunities
Free foreign language lessons
Birthday luncheons
If you hold any influence in implementing employee perks, this list offers a great starting point. What other perks would you like to see?
