To ensure better company growth, the well-being of employees is paramount, leading to higher engagement. To achieve this, companies should consider offering various non-salary benefits so that employees feel motivated and dedicated to their work. Here is a list of ideas with benefits that can help create an advantageous organizational culture for everyone in the company:
1) Preventive Medical Packages
Preventive medical packages are one of the most significant benefits a company can offer. Employees can benefit from free tests or discounts for other medical services, quick scheduling through a dedicated online platform, and access to a company-appointed doctor who provides specialized support and recommendations, as well as personalized counseling. Additionally, occupational health services are essential, as a health report is necessary for employment contracts.
2) Professional Development
According to the Labor Code, professional training hours depend on the number of employees. Companies with more than 21 employees are required to provide such training programs at least once every 2 years, and every 3 years if there are fewer than 21 employees. These hours encourage employees to continue evolving and learning new things while offering interactive experiences that bring new information and experiences. Employees can be guided by a mentor to create a career plan, identifying the skills they wish to develop in the near future. Once the plan is in place and the employee decides on the desired courses or training, they can request time off for professional development.
3) Additional Vacation Days
A highly sought-after bonus by employees is the day off on their birthday. The employer can give the employee a small gift by allowing them to enjoy their birthday as they wish. The company can also decide on other days off to ease the burden on employees, such as the bridging days between legal holidays and weekends when they fall during the week. Another option is to close the office during periods of low workload, offering employees those days off as a gift.
4) Extra Salary Bonuses
A great way to motivate employees to excel is through extra salary bonuses. Each company can decide the frequency of employee evaluations, whether semi-annually, quarterly, or annually, with remuneration based on a percentage of the company’s revenue.
5) Office Meetings/Outings/Activities
A break from the office environment can help employees unwind and communicate more with each other. Besides team-building events, the company can organize small outings to a terrace, pool, or picnic, with a focus on peaceful and different settings, providing transportation, meals, and team activities. If outings are not feasible, fun activities can be organized in the office, such as painting, cooking, or building events, with the help of a professional event team.
6) Mental Wellbeing
Currently, many employees suffer from burnout, depression, and other dangerous psychological issues. The daily stress, social pressure, high expectations, and fear of failure are reasons why mental health should be a significant focus in the workplace. Employers can offer employees sessions with specialists (psychologists, doctors, nurses) to help them understand, prevent, and, most importantly, manage situations like panic attacks.
7) Gift Vouchers
Many employees find gift vouchers more convenient for vacations, shopping, household needs, or other purposes. Companies can use these vouchers as gifts during various occasions, such as during the spring holidays. Nowadays, more and more places accept payment with voucher cards, including drugstores, fast-food chains, and hotels, if referring to holiday vouchers. Additionally, a recent project by the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity allows companies to offer employees domestic activity vouchers worth 15 lei, provided they reach an agreement with the local employment agency.
8) Transport Reimbursement/Mobility Benefits
Transport reimbursement for commuting to the workplace is a welcome benefit for employees. When the employer offers this bonus, covering fuel costs or public transport subscriptions—surface transport, metro, even trains—employees feel more comfortable with the idea of coming to the office.
9) Flexible Schedule
A flexible work schedule can also be a bonus for employees. This could involve choosing working hours (e.g., the employee can start work between 7 and 10 AM, provided they complete the 8-hour workday plus a lunch break).
Hybrid work has become the most desired and sought-after work arrangement, offering a balance by alternating between work-from-home and on-site work. Employees can benefit from the freedom to decide, in coordination with their team, the days they will work from the office.
10) Discounts for Consumer Products or Benefit Platforms
The employer can try to secure various discounts for employees, allowing them to enjoy any type of discount as long as it aligns with their activities and desires. For example, if the company has many Generation Z employees, it could offer discounts on entertainment like festivals, concerts, and shows. For millennials, discounts on theater tickets, dining out, or wellness and spa packages might be a great choice.
If the employer is open to a benefits platform, each employee can choose from a wide range of flexible benefits or offers, depending on their allocated budget: wellness, IT, hobbies, vacations, courses, beauty, and more.