Dennis SpringDennis Spring

Attracting and retaining the best employees has always been a difficult endeavor by employers. Traditionally, a generous compensation package was all that mattered. But with the ever-expanding work day and job stress, employees are demanding more than just a paycheck. They want a balanced life.

With the work/life balance trend becoming more important, it's a serious consideration that isn't going away anytime soon. In fact, compensation has taken a back seat in the minds of many in favor of liberal benefits and perks packages.

National studies have concluded that family considerations and personal pursuits are just as important as a salary increase or a promotion to many. A job that is financially rewarding and offers a generous benefits plan is becoming the draw for many who yearn for a rewarding work/life balance.

We reached out to the PR and communications pros in our database, and asked them which benefits/perks that they now receive do they appreciate the most. Additionally, we wanted to know if there are some benefits/perks that they would like to be offered. Not surprising, the responses went from the mundane and ordinary to the unique and even bizarre.

We wanted to go further. So, we did more of our own quantitative research and identified an astounding 77 benefits/perks that are offered by employers including some that are mandated by the government. The majority however, are offered at the total discretion of each company..

The list of benefits and perks will continue to expand as we hear from more PR folks about other benefits/perks that are not currently on the list. We'll update the findings as we learn more and will publish the most current list available in the near future.

We hope you find the benefits/perks list interesting and useful. In today's business environment, we believe that a thoughtful and liberal benefits/perks program is key to attracting new employees and retaining existing employees. It's a good way to show your employees that you care.

*Below is an updated list as of Aug. 3. If there are benefits and/or perks that you receive or your employer offers that have been omitted, let us know and we'll update the list:

  • Assistance with continuing education courses
  • Assistance with student loan debt
  • Birthday off
  • **Biz class seat for 3 hour+ flight
  • Casual dress policy
  • **Charitable matching contribution
  • Childcare
  • *COBRA (need 20+ employees)
  • Clothing allowance
  • Commutation assistance
  • **Commuter card
  • Company credit card
  • Company smartphone or laptop
  • **Country club membership
  • Defined benefit pension plan
  • Defined contribution pension plan
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • **Employee referral bonus
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • **Employer funded annuity
  • Exceptional service bonus
  • Expense account
  • *Family and medical leave
  • Family (or pet) to work days
  • Flexible work schedule
  • Food discounts
  • Free admission to specified museums
  • **Free coffee
  • Free massages
  • Free parking
  • Golden parachute
  • Grooming allowance
  • Gym membership
  • Health insurance
  • *Health insurance for companies with 50+ employees
  • Health savings account, e.g. HSAs, FSAs, HRPs & HRAs
  • Holiday parties
  • Hybrid car allowance
  • Jury duty supplemental payment
  • Lactation room
  • Liberal vacation policy
  • Life insurance
  • Matching charitable gift program
  • **Monthly car allowance contribution
  • **Monthly mobile contribution
  • New business commission
  • On-site amenities, e.g, haircut, spa, cafeteria, dental care
  • Paid association membership
  • Paid holidays
  • Paid internships
  • Paid family leave
  • Paid holidays off
  • Paid legal costs for H-1B visa
  • *Paid maternity leave (companies with 50+ employees & employee has accumulated 1,250 hours)
  • Paid maternity leave (companies with fewer than 50 employees)
  • Paid or unpaid sabbatical
  • Paid time off for bereavement
  • Paid time off during summer
  • Paid time off to join protest rallies
  • Paid volunteer time off
  • Performance bonus
  • **Productivity contests
  • Profit sharing
  • Relaxation lounge
  • Relocation assistance
  • Retirement savings plan
  • Semi-annual performance review
  • Service recognition awards
  • Severance pay
  • Sick and personal days
  • Sign-on bonus
  • *Social security, Medicare & FICA
  • Sponsorship of approved college degree programs
  • Stand-up comedy training
  • Stock options
  • Summer hours
  • Team-building company retreats
  • Telecommuting options
  • **Tenured sabbatical
  • Tickets for sporting events
  • **Travel retreats
  • Tuition assistance
  • *Unemployment insurance
  • **Unlimited vacation days
  • Vision insurance
  • **Weekly happy hours
  • Wellness pay
  • Work remotely
  • Workers' compensation insurance
  • Yoga breaks

TOTAL BENEFITS = 91

* = government mandated
** = 14 added after 08/17

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Dennis Spring is President of Spring Associates, Inc., founded in 1980. In addition to executive search services, the company also handles communications audits, mergers and acquisitions, client/agency reviews and PR agency selection searches.