Offering a generous benefits package is key to hanging onto your employees, but this can be tricky to navigate when most of your employees work remotely. Here are six perks you can offer remote workers.
[Read More: How Companies Are Changing Benefits to Accommodate Remote Employees]
House cleaning stipend
Remote employees often struggle to balance work with their household duties. It’s hard to put in a full day of work and maintain your home, but most people prefer working in a clean and uncluttered environment.
That’s why companies like MeetEdgar pay for the cost of monthly house cleaning for all of their employees. And this perk includes the entire home, not just the employee’s remote workspace.
Not only will your employees appreciate this benefit, but it will likely go a long way toward improving their productivity and focus.
Home delivery services
There’s been a boom in subscription services over the past few years, making home delivery services a great employee perk. In the spring, the meal delivery service Freshly began offering Freshly for Business.
The service allows businesses to either order meals and have them sent directly to their employees’ homes or give employees discounts on the service. The meals come premade, so all your employees have to do is heat them up.
You can also consider sending employees a wellness box created by SnackNation. Once companies join the program and choose their budget, employees can choose from two different healthy options. [Read CO—'s feature that includes an interview with SnackNation’s founder and CEO here.]
Professional development
One of the best ways to invest in your employees is by contributing to their personal and professional development. The more your employees learn and grow, the more they have to give to your company.
That’s why some companies offer professional development perks to their employees. HelpScout gives its employees $1,800 a year to spend on conferences, books or classes that will help them “improve their craft.”
Your company might consider paying for remote workers to attend a training program, virtual conference or course.
The more your employees learn and grow, the more they have to give to your company.
Health and wellbeing
According to Buffer’s State of Remote Work report, 22% of remote employees struggle to unplug after work. That’s why the company encourages its employees to take care of their health and wellbeing.
Every Buffer employee receives a Jawbone UP, which is a device that measures their sleep and daily steps. They also receive a Kindle Paperwhite with access to many free Kindle books.
And Buffer is very flexible when it comes to employee schedules. The company doesn’t have any rules around work schedules and lets its team members choose when and how they work during the day.
The company also requires its employees to take a minimum of 15 paid vacation days each year. Not only that, the company actually compensates its team members that take a vacation.
Buffer provides a $1,000 vacation reimbursement for every team member, and a $500 reimbursement per family member. This perk ensures that remote workers intentionally take time to unplug and find more work-life balance.
Home office stipend
Everyone who works from home needs a dedicated workspace and access to quality internet. If you came into the office every day, these things would already be provided for you.
Recognizing this, some companies have started giving their remote workers a home office stipend. For instance, MeetEdgar gives its employees new MacBooks and a monthly stipend for internet access.
You can give employees a monthly or yearly budget to spend on office supplies, or you could just pay for a one-off purchase like a new desk chair or laptop. These kinds of perks will go a long way toward making remote employees feel appreciated.
De-location package
As remote work becomes more commonplace, many people realize they don’t have to live in a big city to keep their job. That’s why companies like Zapier offer a de-location package.
Zapier is based in San Francisco, but its workforce is entirely remote. And since the city comes with a very high cost of living, the company provides a generous de-location package.
If you choose to move away from the Bay Area within your first three months of working at Zapier, the company will provide a $10,000 de-location stipend. Zapier does request that anyone who accepts the de-location package stays with the company for at least a year.
[Read More: Businesses Capitalizing on the Rise of Remote Work]
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