Today's market doesn't allow for the "show me the money" mentality job hunters have espoused in recent years. Instead, companies are offering other, low-cost perks to make up
for lower salaries - and increase employee morale and team-building:
- The Castle Group, a Boston-based firm, offers 12 holidays, a "shopping
day" between Thanksgiving and the December holidays, and a birthday "holiday."
During the summer months, employees get every other Friday off. (Elana Schaffer,
[email protected])
- Meservy Wing Snapp will offer paid time off between Christmas Eve
and New Year's in lieu of profit sharing this year. "The equivalent value
is greater than what the bonuses would have been, but it helps keep the agency
in a stronger financial position," says Cheryl Snapp, partner. The agency
is also planning to close its offices for an afternoon sometime around the
release of "Harry Potter" and rent out a local theater for employees and families.
Plus, they're using American Express bonus miles partners have earned through
business travel to find resources for gifts and prizes to acknowledge superior
performance. (Cheryl Snapp, [email protected])
- Schenkein (a Denver-based agency that claims it has never laid off
an employee in nearly 30 years of operation) allows employees to provide input
on benefits packages. Regular surveys allow employees to suggest perks like
wellness benefits, chair massages, a sabbatical program, expanded maternity
and paternity benefits and internal development programs. (Malea Melis, [email protected])
- The Standing Partnership, an agency in St. Louis, Mo., offers employees
a two-month sabbatical after seven years of employment. Employees can use
the sabbatical in whatever way they choose; one exec is planning to use it
to take off every Friday for a year to be with her children. (Beth Champlin,
[email protected])
- The Vandiver Group, a member of Pinnacle Worldwide, has spruced up
its offices - not only with a miniature golf course for stress relief and
friendly competitions, but with a "meditation" room that allows space for
reading, personal brainstorming, and other quiet activities that require time
away from the busy workspace. "It gives folks a place to go to step out of
the excitement, to recharge and come up with creative ideas," says Team Leader
Chris Horner. (Chris Horner, [email protected])