The Latest Quirky Employee Perks That Actually Build Loyalty At Work

Employee perks used to include things like a free lunch or maybe a discounted gym membership. But in today’s workplace, perks are changing. Companies are trying to stand out by offering experiences that go far beyond Kombucha or sleep pods. Some are thoughtful and some are strange. I have seen companies have games like ping pong tables to blow off stress. That was popular, but I have seen some perks that were just uncomfortable. One company I worked for offered free neck massages, but no one ever used them. It was just weird to have someone rubbing your neck in front of your coworkers. Sometimes leaders aren’t curious enough to ask what people really want. It is interesting to see the direction some organizations are taking, though.

Employee Perks That Include Time Off For Pet Loss Or Adoption

People love their pets. I have a Labrador named Luna who is a big part of my life. It was challenging when she was a puppy, and I cannot even imagine how sad it will be one day when she is gone. I can see that having pet insurance would be a nice benefit. But some perks go beyond that. Companies like Amazon, Kimpton Hotels, and Mars Inc. have begun to offer paid time off when an employee adopts a new pet or loses one. A 2023 WorkLife report highlighted the growing trend of “pawternity” leave, where companies recognize the emotional toll of losing or gaining a pet. These policies reflect how emotional wellbeing is being acknowledged in more personal ways than ever before.

Employee Perks That Include Free House Cleaning

Akraya, a staffing and IT consulting firm based in Sunnyvale, California, provides employees with professional housecleaning every two weeks. They don’t offer it as a coupon or a discount. They actually send someone to your home and pay for the full service. The idea is to give people back time they would have spent on chores. It’s a practical benefit, but some employees might prefer the money to choose their own cleaner or use it for something else. Still, it stands out because it solves a real problem.

Employee Perks That Include Gardening and Beekeeping

Companies like Clif Bar and Burt’s Bees run onsite gardens and apiaries where employees can volunteer. These are structured programs where people grow vegetables or tend beehives during work hours. That might sound ideal to some, but not everyone wants to dig in the dirt or deal with bees. I would probably pass on both. It’s hard to picture tending a garden at work and then jumping right into a Zoom call. Like companies that offer gyms and other sweat-producing activities, for women, that may be less appealing if it means getting sweaty and then trying to look polished again.

Employee Perks That Include Personal Dream Support

I have worked for companies where I won multiple trips to places like Hawaii and St. Thomas for being a top salesperson. They were amazing experiences because they spared no expense. But they were only offered to salespeople at that time. Today, instead of traditional bonuses, some companies are experimenting with ways to support employees’ personal goals. Propellernet, a Brighton-based digital marketing agency, runs a program where employees submit personal dreams, like writing a book or learning to cook in Italy, and the company funds one of them each time a business milestone is hit. Recent dreams they’ve funded include dog sledding in Norway and becoming a stunt performer. These creative approaches show that the company cares about more than just performance. They care about the person behind the role.

Employee Perks That Include Lifestyle Stipends

This one seems the most appealing to me. More companies are skipping the one-size-fits-all approach and giving people monthly stipends for whatever makes their life easier. Google has experimented with lifestyle perks over the years, and companies like Evernote, Airbnb, and Expensify have offered flexible lifestyle funds that can be applied to everything from personal wellness to continuing education. These stipends can go toward home cleaning, fitness, education, or even personal hobbies. It’s flexible and current. Instead of guessing what people want, companies are asking them to choose. This kind of benefit feels like a smarter way to respect individuality without trying to predict everyone’s preferences.

Employee Perks That Actually Work

Not every benefit gets used. Some seem to exist just for the company to say they’re progressive or employee-friendly. I’ve seen perks that looked great in the onboarding packet but never motivated me. One of the most frustrating ones was being expected to attend mandatory evening dinners that were labeled as a perk. For someone who values personal time, that didn’t feel like a benefit at all. People tend to appreciate perks that give them more control over their time. Whether it’s time off for a pet, help at home, or funding for personal goals, the most effective perks are the ones that actually reduce stress. That doesn’t mean everyone will use the same things. A rock-climbing wall at the office might sound fun to some, but others are thinking about what they’re supposed to do with their hair and makeup afterward. Choice matters.

The Financial Impact Of Employee Perks

Perks may feel like extras, but they can directly impact retention, morale, and even productivity. A 2023 MetLife Employee Benefit Trends study found that 61% of employees who are satisfied with their benefits are more likely to stay with their employer. Companies that align perks with what people actually want are better positioned to compete for talent in today’s market.

The Final Word On Employee Perks

Sometimes, the quirkiest perks are the ones people talk about the most. But that doesn’t mean they work. Before offering something new, it helps to ask one question: Is this something people will actually want, or something leadership thinks they should want? To motivate people, that is something leaders should really consider.