Workplace perks: 5 tips on how to create an awesome culture without a lot of resources
Why more stuff doesn’t always = happier staff.
Workplace perks have become the new norm and companies are constantly thinking of new and outrageous benefits to offer their people - onsite barista, catered food, beer fridges, sleep rooms - but do these perks really live up to the promise of keeping staff happy and engaged?
On the surface, it seems simple - everyone loves free stuff, right? Surprisingly, research has actually shown that companies who invest in these flashy incentives do not necessarily end up with happier staff.
For businesses to truly understand what their employees are thinking and feeling, they need to listen to what they are saying. If you haven’t already been doing this, a great place to start is by gathering feedback from staff. Conduct pulse surveys, run focus groups, host fireside chats with leadership - these are all great ways to get insight on what people are really thinking and what the culture at your workplace is truly like. Using this data, you can create meaningful investments into the things your staff value. At Monday Morning, we have helped clients undergo this exercise and more often than not, we see people showing real interest in perks that don’t cost a whole lot.
In fact, when we take a look at employers who made the list of top workplaces in Canada, they all strike a balance between workplace perks and the human side of things: work-life balance, ability to work remotely (and be trusted!), support for new parents, and empathetic leadership. So before you begin selecting your assortment of unlimited snacks, take a step back and try to really understand what will work for your people. You may be surprised to learn that it isn’t always tied to monetary value.
Here are some ideas on how to create an awesome workplace for your people with limited financial resources.
1. It all circles back to the mission:
Staff want to feel tied to the company’s mission. Find a way to make people feel good about the work they are doing and the contribution they are making. If your organization has a worthy cause, make sure your mission and values are at the forefront of everything you do. If your company supports and stands behind an important issue, make that well known and get staff involved in that initiative. Ensuring your mission, cause and corporate positioning on issues are tied into work and recognition will shape your culture and remind your employees why they are here.
2. Create opportunities for staff to connect:
A workplace social doesn’t always require bells and whistles. You can create amazing employee wellness and social events on very small budgets. One tip is to create gatherings around shared interests. Has the New Year spurred on healthier eating habits? Consider organizing a vegan potluck and encourage participants to prepare one meatless dish to share. Don’t be afraid to add in some healthy competition - host a contest and have staff vote on the best dish!
3. Take pulse surveys:
Running a staff engagement survey on an annual basis can produce results that are quickly outdated. We suggest taking regular pulse surveys with your staff, or checking in on a weekly basis to see how employees are doing. Use all that rich data to assess what your staff are interested in, then get creative about finding opportunities around their interests.
4. Learn a new skill:
Career growth is no longer limited to a vertical trajectory. People are engaged and motivated when they learn new skills. Has someone expressed interest in joining another department? See if there is an opportunity for that employee to job shadow or participate in a temporary secondment. Do a lot of staff express interest in graphic design, but don’t really understand what that sort of work entails? Arrange a panel made up of your Graphic Designers to field questions from the audience, or host a workshop to share a common project plan. Test out genius hour where staff can spend work time exploring projects of their choosing that help your business.
5. Leverage staff expertise:
Your people are dynamic and have hobbies, skills, and talents outside of the workplace. In fact, 1 in 3 Canadians have a side hustle which means a good chunk of your workforce may be experts in a whole other field. Does your head of Marketing also run a freelance photography business on the side? See if she/he can offer headshots for your staff. Does your lead sales manager know how to knit? Ask if she/he is interested in hosting a lunch and learn. Not only can staff learn a new skill, but it’s a great way for them to connect with their colleagues outside of their respective jobs.
Amazing staff engagement doesn’t happen overnight. We recommend starting small to test ideas and gather feedback to see if you are heading in the right direction. There are so many options but the most important thing is to first listen to your staff, understand what drives them, and find creative ways to help build a happy environment for them to thrive.
Interested in gathering feedback from your staff or developing cost-effective ideas to create an amazing workplace culture? Get in touch via hello@mondaymorning.ca
About us: At Monday Morning, we are a team of HR consultants in the Toronto area supporting businesses with their HR needs. With over 15 years of experience, we provide expert HR advice, build people and culture programs for some of the best workplaces, and develop customized solutions to meet your needs. We take the worry out of HR so you can focus on your business.
