Dive Brief:
- Glassdoor published a list of unusual benefits from 20 companies, reports Mashable. The list is based on thousands of benefit reviews from employees.
- Among the companies to make the list: Bain, which sponsors a global soccer tournament for employees; Goldman Sachs, which offers gender re-assignment surgery among its health benefits; Eventbrite, which gives employees a wellness stipend; Swiss Re, which sponsors an "Own the Way You Work" program; and Southwest Airlines, which provides confidential counseling.
- Some benefits are free, while others are low-cost, Mashable reports.
Dive Insight:
All employees' reviews were positive assessments of company culture. Workers said they felt appreciated and supported by management, and that their company's values and mission were clearly communicated.
Offering great benefits alone isn't enough to engage employees, as offering flashy benefits for the sake of it doesn't work. These unusual benefits are all part of organizational efforts to make their cultures more accepting, supportive places to work and reflect the values of the companies listed.
As always, building a portfolio of traditional and innovative benefits is key to building such a culture and will help attract and retain employees.