Mental health and stress management are not one-size-fits-all, and employees may have different concerns about workplace stress. Staff are generally reluctant to engage in side activities that would take up their working hours because this would mean their workload is piling up. If the courses are out of working hours, they would expect compensation.

Still, mental health benefits are essential to attracting top talents. In a survey, 92% said that mental health support is a requirement for them to consider a job. Instead of offering courses and seminars, you can provide paid mental health leave and include therapy in their medical benefits.

2.  Unlimited PTO

Unlimited PTO provides employees with more off days than the average. While companies may see this approach as a desirable package, this approach leaves room for interpretation and needs to be more specific in many organizations.

Ironically, workers with unlimited PTO have less work-life balance. In 2023, employees offered this benefit ranked 3.24% lower on work-life balance than those who didn't. They also spend 10% to 30% less time away from work than those with accruable PTO. Talents with prior experience in an unlimited PTO system may be reluctant to accept a job with the perks. It takes longer to fill jobs with unlimited PTO, with an average of 41.4 days compared to other vacancies.

Despite this, unlimited PTO is still a popular benefit, with 72% of employees valuing the system in their workplace. As part of the management team, you are responsible for making the system work by fostering work-life balance, introducing proper guidelines to ensure strict implementation or replacing with floating holidays and flexible time off.

3.  Snack stations

Office food benefits are a good perk but are irrelevant and relatively unnecessary compared to more significant benefits. The availability of snacks contributes to unhealthy eating habits, and makes people stay longer in the office than they have to.

Free food causes overeating, especially as a consequence of elevated cortisol levels and stress. This can, in turn, lead to a loss of productivity and efficiency among employees. Many are calling for healthier snack options in the office, with two in five employees suggesting a healthy lunch scheme and 25% wanting a full lunch break away from their desks.

Unlimited food as a job perk is excellent, but you should do it responsibly. Introduce healthy and diverse options for people with different dietary preferences and include incentives to encourage clean and healthy eating.

Related: Employee wellbeing nears record lows 

4.  On-site gyms

Like snack bars, on-site gyms are introduced with good intentions but could be less utilized and less attractive than they may seem to many. These gyms offer free memberships and are available for those who want to burn some steam after a stressful workday.

However, only some people are interested in gym workouts. Some prefer jogging, swimming or cycling. For them, on-site gym perks are not helpful — they would rather have other perks. Office gyms are usually equipped with the most basic amenities, so even gym-goers with full-access membership in other gyms may feel these are redundant.

Considering the fact that benefits already cost a hefty average of more than $14 an hour per employee, the additional cost of upkeep for a gym that most employees might not use doesn’t make sense for most businesses. Instead of equipping an office gym, you can offer incentives for memberships at any gyms, courts or sports clubs employees prefer. Also include meditative workouts like yoga and tai chi under the package.

5.  Add-on services

Some companies offer attractive perks, such as dog-friendly workplaces, phone bill incentives and transportation to and from work. These benefits entice top talents to join an organization.

However, these also blur the line between work and personal time. Many people leave on time when they have dependents like pets at home. By having a pet-friendly office, staff tend to spend more time at work. Similarly, when the company pays for phone bills, employees may feel obligated to answer calls during off hours. Some employers also offer free transportation but at later hours, which increases the time the staff spends at the office.

To enhance these benefits, you could improve work-life balance by practicing flexible working hours, on-time clock-outs or paying overtime for those who work after hours. An optimal work-life balance is a great perk, with 39% favoring it over compensation in 2022.

Relevant perks are the basis of successful staff morale

Companies with good perks have a workforce that is productive, efficient and proactive. Choose benefits that are useful to your employees and also cost-effective for the organization.