Creative Perks that Foster Collaboration and Fun

If you’re looking to boost morale and keep your team’s performance high, it’s important to provide benefits that go beyond a core salary. Creative perks for your staff are not only great for fostering a friendly and welcoming culture, but they also provide additional benefits such as encouraging collaboration, building stronger relationships between colleagues and laying the groundwork for a more dynamic and cohesive team environment.

For businesses unsure where to begin when it comes to offering creative benefits that will boost employee engagement, here are a few suggestions to inspire you. From learning new skills to keeping fit or simply having fun as a team, these perks help companies create a workplace that’s fun to be in and that feels rewarding for hard-working staff.

Gym Membership Reimbursement

Implementing a gym membership reimbursement programme as a staff perk can be a highly effective strategy for businesses aiming to enhance productivity and improve employee wellness. By offering to cover or subsidise gym memberships, companies show a commitment to their employees’ health and wellbeing, which fosters a positive workplace culture.

Regular physical activity is known to improve mental health and reduce stress, and healthier employees often experience fewer sick days and higher energy, contributing to a more vibrant and resilient workforce for your business. If you’d prefer to invest in your on-site facilities, you could create a gym for staff to use outside of work hours or add fun ways to keep fit such as an outdoor basketball court or a golf simulator where the team can practise their swing after work.

Meditation Spaces and Wellness Facilities

Introducing on-site wellness amenities like yoga rooms, meditation spaces, or quiet pods provide a convenient way for employees to manage their stress, recharge between meetings, and maintain a healthy work-life balance, reflecting your company’s commitment to holistic wellness.

Access to these facilities during the workday can lead to significant productivity gains – short breaks for yoga or meditation help to refresh the mind and body, so staff can return to their tasks with increased concentration and creativity. You could also invest in local teachers to come to the office and teach group yoga or meditation classes so the team can recharge together for greater collaboration and team bonding.

Personal Volunteering Days

Implementing paid time off days for volunteering can be an innovative and impactful strategy for businesses. By offering employees dedicated time off to volunteer at causes that mean something to them personally, companies cultivate a sense of purpose and community, while also reaping numerous organisational benefits.

Volunteering days can significantly boost employees’ emotional and mental wellbeing, providing a sense of fulfilment while also helping people foster new ideas and creative ways of thinking that can be of benefit in their 9-5. They’ll develop new skills, build stronger relationships, and gain fresh perspectives, all of which can translate into better problem-solving abilities and enhanced teamwork.

Lunch and Learn Sessions

“Lunch and Learn” sessions are an innovative way to foster collaboration, continuous learning, and employee engagement. They involve gathering employees during lunch breaks to participate in informative and interactive presentations or workshops. By providing a relaxed and informal setting, and a free lunch for the team, Lunch and Learn sessions encourage employees to share their knowledge and expertise on various topics, ranging from industry trends and technical skills to personal hobbies and wellness tips.

The benefits of Lunch and Learn sessions extend beyond just acquiring new knowledge. They offer a unique opportunity for employees from different departments to interact, fostering cross-functional collaboration and strengthening team bonds, making it a great option for larger businesses or growing companies where you want to ensure new hires feel fully integrated and welcomed. It provides a platform for staff to showcase their talents and passions, promoting a sense of community and mutual respect.

Summer Fridays

Summer Fridays are a highly coveted employee benefit and an excellent way for companies to emphasise the importance of work-life balance. By offering employees a half-day off for the six Fridays during the sunny summer months, businesses demonstrate their commitment to employee wellbeing and recognition of their hard work.

This unique perk provides employees with an extended weekend to relax, recharge, and engage in their personal interests, which boosts morale and productivity. It also helps to reduce burnout, since employees come back to work the following week feeling refreshed and re-energised. This perk can serve as a compelling incentive for attracting new talent too, reflecting the company’s progressive and employee-focused culture.

Regular Team-Building Exercises

Creative perks can also be in the form of regular activities throughout the year that bring the team together and create a cohesive work environment. For example, you could book the team in for a new class like cooking or painting where everyone has the chance to learn a new skill and work together or attend a workshop or training course as a business. If you want to focus on fun without any pressure, why not rent out a few lanes at the local bowling alley or plan a movie night where staff can relax and unwind.

Another option is to host contests and competitions throughout the year that staff can get involved with and work towards goals together. Maybe it’s training for a 5k race together, signing up for a football tournament or taking part in pub quizzes, all of which build comradery and make your workplace more supportive and connected.

Perks may not be an essential component of running a business, but those who offer them will certainly see rewards in the form of employee retention, engagement and collaboration between staff. They help to make the workplace more enjoyable and fun, and foster a culture of motivation and productivity that has a huge impact on your ability to hold on to your best staff but also attract top talent in the future too.