In today’s competitive job market, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) need to find innovative ways to attract and retain top talent. While competitive salaries are important, creative perks and benefits can set your company apart and create a work environment that employees genuinely love.
Unlike traditional benefits such as health insurance and 401(k) plans, unique and thoughtful perks enhance workplace culture, boost employee morale, and improve work-life balance. The best part? Many of these perks don’t require a huge budget—just a little creativity.
Here are some fun, engaging, and cost-effective perks that employees love and that can help your SMB stand out.
1. Flexible Work Schedules & Remote Work Options
Gone are the days of rigid 9-to-5 schedules. Today’s employees value flexibility as one of the most important workplace benefits.
🚀 Why employees love it:
✅ Better work-life balance
✅ Increased productivity and job satisfaction
✅ Reduces commuting stress and costs
💡 How to implement it:
- Offer remote work days or a hybrid schedule
- Allow employees to adjust start and end times to fit their personal lives
- Implement compressed workweeks, such as four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days
Bonus Perk: Introduce a “Work-from-Anywhere” week, where employees can work from any location they choose—whether it’s a beach, a coffee shop, or another city!
2. Paid “Self-Care” or Mental Health Days
Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet many employees feel guilty about taking time off for self-care. Offering paid mental health days helps employees recharge and prevent burnout.
🧘 Why employees love it:
✅ Reduces stress and increases overall well-being
✅ Encourages a culture that prioritizes mental health
✅ Leads to happier, more engaged employees
💡 How to implement it:
- Provide one or two paid self-care days per year separate from sick days
- Encourage employees to use these days for personal well-being (e.g., spa days, meditation, relaxation)
- Normalize mental health conversations in the workplace
Bonus Perk: Offer free meditation app subscriptions like Calm or Headspace.
3. Unlimited PTO (With Guidelines!)
More companies are shifting toward unlimited paid time off (PTO) policies that allow employees to take time off as needed, without the constraints of a fixed number of days.
🌍 Why employees love it:
✅ Gives them freedom to take vacations or personal days guilt-free
✅ Encourages a healthy balance between work and life
✅ Builds trust between employees and management
💡 How to implement it:
- Set clear guidelines to ensure employees don’t abuse the policy
- Encourage employees to actually take time off (many feel hesitant at first!)
- Offer a minimum time-off requirement to ensure employees get rest
Bonus Perk: Consider offering “Recharge Weeks”—mandatory company-wide time off to prevent burnout.
4. Home Office Stipend & Remote Work Benefits
For remote or hybrid employees, a comfortable home office setup is key to productivity and happiness.
💻 Why employees love it:
✅ Improves focus and efficiency while working from home
✅ Reduces strain from using uncomfortable furniture or outdated equipment
✅ Shows that the company values remote employees’ needs
💡 How to implement it:
- Provide a one-time home office setup stipend ($200-$500) for desks, chairs, or monitors
- Offer monthly Wi-Fi or coworking space stipends
- Give discounts on ergonomic equipment
Bonus Perk: Send employees a customized home office care package with branded mugs, notebooks, or cozy work socks!
5. Personalized Learning & Development Stipends
Employees want to grow professionally, and companies that invest in their development see higher retention and engagement.
📚 Why employees love it:
✅ Helps them gain new skills and advance in their careers
✅ Encourages lifelong learning
✅ Shows the company cares about their future growth
💡 How to implement it:
- Offer a quarterly or annual learning stipend for online courses, books, or certifications
- Pay for conference tickets related to their industry
- Give employees “learning time” each month to focus on skill development
Bonus Perk: Create an employee-led “Lunch & Learn” program, where team members teach each other valuable skills.
6. Pet-Friendly Workplace or “Pawternity” Leave
For pet lovers, having a pet-friendly work environment or receiving time off to care for a new pet is a game-changer.
🐶 Why employees love it:
✅ Reduces stress and boosts office morale
✅ Creates a more relaxed and friendly workplace
✅ Helps employees with new pets transition smoothly
💡 How to implement it:
- Allow employees to bring pets to work on designated days
- Offer paid “pawternity leave” for employees who adopt a new pet
- Partner with local pet businesses for employee discounts on pet care services
Bonus Perk: Host an annual “Bring Your Pet to Work Day” with pet-friendly activities and treats!
7. Fun & Unique Team Experiences
Work shouldn’t just be about deadlines and meetings—it should also include fun and memorable experiences that bring employees together.
🎉 Why employees love it:
✅ Builds team camaraderie and trust
✅ Creates shared experiences that improve workplace culture
✅ Gives employees something exciting to look forward to
💡 How to implement it:
- Host quarterly team outings, such as escape rooms, cooking classes, or volunteer events
- Organize a team retreat—even a one-day local getaway can be refreshing
- Offer “Experience Bonuses”—instead of a cash bonus, employees choose an experience (e.g., skydiving, concert tickets, spa day)
Bonus Perk: Introduce “Surprise Fridays” where employees get a fun surprise, like free lunch, an early dismissal, or a small gift!
8. Wellness & Fitness Perks
Physical wellness is just as important as mental health. Offering wellness perks keeps employees feeling their best.
🏋️ Why employees love it:
✅ Encourages a healthy lifestyle
✅ Helps employees feel energized and productive
✅ Reduces long-term health-related absences
💡 How to implement it:
- Provide monthly wellness stipends for gym memberships, fitness apps, or wellness programs
- Offer “Walking Meetings” for brainstorming sessions
- Give employees “Wellness Wednesdays” with yoga sessions, healthy snacks, or guided meditation
Bonus Perk: Create a friendly step-count challenge with prizes!
Creative perks and benefits go beyond standard paychecks—they create a work environment where employees feel valued, supported, and excited to come to work. Whether it’s flexible schedules, self-care days, home office stipends, or pet-friendly policies, even small investments can make a big impact.