Boosting Employee Morale: 12 Unique Perks Offered by Companies
Looking for creative ways to energize your workforce and boost morale? Unique perks can do more than just attract talent – they can transform your workplace culture and inspire lasting loyalty. In this article, business owners and people managers reveal innovative benefits that go beyond the usual offerings. From a “Plant It Forward” program fostering community engagement to annual stipends fueling personal and professional growth, these 12 expert-backed strategies provide actionable ideas to elevate job satisfaction and productivity.
- Plant It Forward Program Engages Employees
- Tailored Professional Development Boosts Morale
- Passion Project Fridays Inspire Creativity
- Quarterly Mental Health Days Improve Teamwork
- Fresh Meals at Work Enhance Community
- Flexible Work Hours Increase Job Satisfaction
- Wellness Program Elevates Employee Well-Being
- Pet Allowance Reduces Work-From-Home Stress
- Customized HRA Incentivizes Smart Healthcare Choices
- Remote Work Flexibility Boosts Productivity
- Autonomy in Projects Enhances Engagement
- Annual Stipend Fuels Career Development
Plant It Forward Program Engages Employees
One unique perk we offer is a “Plant It Forward” program. This initiative encourages team members to select and grow plants of their choice, whether for personal enjoyment, their own garden or even community donation. As a certified horticulturist with over 15 years of experience, I provide tailored guidance to each employee on how to nurture their plants, from soil selection to pest management. We also dedicate a small portion of our workspace as a team gardening area where employees can collaborate on growing unique or challenging plants. This program not only deepens their knowledge of gardening but also strengthens their connection to nature and the value of nurturing living things.
The impact has been transformative. Employees feel more engaged and appreciated, knowing their personal growth aligns with the values of the company. It’s sparked creativity, improved teamwork, and created a workplace culture where learning and collaboration thrive. My extensive knowledge in horticulture ensures that every employee feels supported in their journey, fostering a sense of accomplishment when they see their plants thrive. This initiative has also led to positive feedback from clients who often remark on the passion and care our team brings to their gardens, making it a win for morale and business alike.
Andrew Osborne
Owner, Ozzie Mowing & Gardening
Tailored Professional Development Boosts Morale
One unique perk we offer to boost employee morale is access to ongoing professional development opportunities, tailored to each team member’s interests and career goals. This includes funding for external courses, workshops, and certifications, as well as in house training sessions led by myself and other senior staff. With over 30 years of experience in physiotherapy and a strong academic background, I ensure these sessions are both practical and evidence-based, allowing our team to stay at the forefront of industry advancements. By investing in their growth, we foster a culture of learning and collaboration, which keeps our staff motivated and engaged.
This approach has had a profound impact on our workplace. For example, one of our physiotherapists recently completed advanced training in clinical Pilates, which not only expanded their skill set but also enriched our service offerings. Seeing the tangible benefits of their expertise both in patient outcomes and team confidence reinforces a shared sense of achievement. Over time, this commitment to development has resulted in higher employee retention rates and a stronger sense of community within our team. It’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with our integrated approach to health and wellness, as happy, empowered employees are better equipped to deliver exceptional care to our clients.
Peter Hunt
Director & Physiotherapist at the Alignment Studio, The Alignment Studio
Passion Project Fridays Inspire Creativity
My program is called “Passion Project Fridays,” and it lets employees work on a personal project or an idea that could help the team on a Friday every month. During this time, one of our developers made a tool that improved how we do things internally, and another team member worked on a photography project that led to a creative idea for the whole company. Not only is it about work, but also about letting people enjoy their free time and find happiness in ways that make the team better. Workers can talk about their projects at our once-a-month meeting. This has led to team training and new business ideas. This small change can give people a lot of ideas and drive. It’s amazing how much better our group works together now that things have changed.
Chris Bajda
E-Commerce Entrepreneur & Managing Partner, GroomsDay
Quarterly Mental Health Days Improve Teamwork
We have one special benefit that makes all our employees feel good: an extra day off, once in three months, on the house, to take care of either your mental or physical health. Nobody will ask any questions. That is different from the concept of either vacation time or sick leave. We encourage our crew to use this time as desired—for spa days, hiking, family times, or whatever one considers “relaxing.”
It’s been rather good. They just feel more appreciated, valued, and, therefore, happy working more. For example, there was a big improvement in employee participation in team meetings once this policy went into operation, with a better feeling of teamwork between departments. Our retention rate increased, too, with team members showing their loyalty to a company which truly cared about their well-being.
What matters for other small businesses considering such moves is a question of trust and independence: not about controlling the workers’ use of time, per se, but showing them that you value their sense of balance. In the long run, this will help bring about better workplace culture.
Matthew Lang
Founder, LSK Property Management
Fresh Meals at Work Enhance Community
One unique perk we offer to boost employee morale is freshly prepared, individual meals delivered directly to our HQ office through our partnership with Wonder. Employees can order meals via the Wonder Spot app, available Tuesday through Thursday, with no delivery fees or tipping required. To further enhance accessibility, we provide a $5 discount on first orders, making the program an affordable and convenient benefit.
This initiative has had a significant impact on the workplace by promoting a sense of community and reducing the stress of meal planning during busy workdays. Employees appreciate the convenience, which allows them to focus on their tasks and enjoy a healthy, high-quality lunch without leaving the office. It has also become a talking point, sparking casual conversations and strengthening team connections. Additionally, by addressing a basic daily need, this perk demonstrates the company’s commitment to employee well-being, boosting overall morale and job satisfaction.
Charles Mangino
Director of Compensation & Benefits, Vita Coco
Flexible Work Hours Increase Job Satisfaction
One practical perk we offer at my legal process outsourcing company to boost employee morale is flexible work hours for our team working remotely. As a company, we understand that life can be unpredictable, and not everyone works best during traditional office hours.
By allowing employees to set their own schedules, they can manage their time to fit personal obligations or peak productivity hours. For instance, one of our legal analysts with young children found it easier to work late mornings and evenings, which helped her balance childcare and work.
The flexibility has greatly improved job satisfaction and helped employees maintain a healthier work-life balance, reducing burnout and increasing productivity.
This practical approach not only boosts morale but also gives our team the autonomy to tailor their workday in a way that works best for them.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Wellness Program Elevates Employee Well-Being
One unique benefit we offer to boost employee morale is our “Wellness & Skill Development Program,” which focuses on holistic employee well-being. Beyond just health benefits, this program includes monthly workshops on stress management, nutrition, and financial planning, along with personalized skill development sessions. We also provide employees with opportunities to participate in advanced training related to the seafood, poultry, and meat industries, ensuring their continuous professional growth.
The impact has been remarkable. Employee satisfaction has increased by over 33%, with a significant reduction in turnover rates. This program not only enhances the personal lives of our employees but also boosts productivity and loyalty, directly contributing to our company’s overall success. By supporting our employees’ personal and professional growth, we have created a more engaged and motivated workforce, which in turn helps us maintain the high standards of service that our customers expect.
Vrutika Patel
Chief Marketing Officer, Cambay Tiger
Pet Allowance Reduces Work-From-Home Stress
As a remotely working business platform, we offer additional pet allowance to our employees to boost their morale and keep them in high spirits. We believe that keeping pets for work-from-home employees reduces work-related stress and improves mood as they get a companion to deal with isolation.
This unique perk motivated several employees to adopt dogs and cats. They now take their pets for post-lunch walks and spend time with them, which has positively improved their health. We noticed an improvement in their productivity as they felt more relaxed. Also, this strategy improved their retention and lowered absenteeism.
Soubhik Chakrabarti
CEO, Canada Hustle
Customized HRA Incentivizes Smart Healthcare Choices
As benefit advisors, one unique strategy we help our clients implement to boost employee morale is a customized Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that incentivizes smart healthcare decisions. Employees earn credits when they use the resources provided to seek care from high-value providers, ensuring better outcomes and lower costs. These credits can then be redeemed for a wide range of perks tailored to the unique demographics and preferences of each client’s workforce, such as additional HRA funds, contribution holidays, or even cash equivalents.
This personalized approach helps employees feel supported and empowered, turning healthcare choices into opportunities for meaningful rewards. The results have been remarkable, with improved employee engagement, increased satisfaction, and stronger retention rates across our clients. By aligning incentives with high-value care, these programs not only enhance employee morale but also drive measurable value for the organizations we serve. This demonstrates how strategic benefits design can create a thriving, productive workplace while optimizing healthcare spend.
Louis Bernardi
Founder | “the Benefits Whisperer”, BritePath
Remote Work Flexibility Boosts Productivity
With more companies, mandating return to office or forcing hybrid on employees, we have chosen to stay as a remote company. People often love the flexibility of being remote to be able to walk their dogs, run a quick errand during the day like picking up their kids from school, or getting a mental break in when they need it. Working remotely gives people flexibility to take breaks when they need to, which boosts morale. And it boosts productivity too, as you have more time to get stuff done without people interrupting you. With more people being able to have time for heads-down work, they perform better, allowing them to feel more satisfied with their jobs.
Nicole Martins Ferreira
Product Marketing Manager, Huntr
Autonomy in Projects Enhances Engagement
One of the best things we’ve done is give our team the freedom to manage their own projects and schedules. We trust them to make decisions and take ownership of their work, which has made a real difference.
People feel more motivated, engaged, and confident in what they do. This sense of autonomy has boosted creativity and productivity, while also creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their best ideas forward.
Omër Güven
Co-Founder & CEO, Fintalent
Annual Stipend Fuels Career Development
My take on this is that professional growth fuels personal motivation, so we provide each employee with an annual stipend for career development. Whether they choose to attend conferences, take courses, or pursue certifications, they have the freedom to invest in skills that matter to them. This isn’t just about adding to their expertise—it shows them that we’re committed to their futures. And the payoff? Higher morale, loyalty, and a team that’s eager to bring new insights to the table.
Ambrosio Arizu
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Argoz Consultants