May 4th 2022

9 unique employee benefits that aren’t flexible working

As part of our new Super Startup Series, we will be diving into the different ‘superpowers’ that made the incredible start ups on our 2020, 2021 and 2022 lists stand out from the crowd. Superpowers are the things that companies demonstrate that uniquely position them to be considered as a fantastic place to work and we’re here to reveal them. First up, is employer benefits. So, what really are they and why are they such an important superpower?  

In our previous articles, we spoke about how to attract talent and how to spot potential. However, one of the key challenges facing businesses is how to retain their most valued employees. It’s surprising to learn that  37% of UK SMEs haven’t reevaluated their staff benefits since the start of the pandemic, despite 78% stating that employer perks are crucial to retaining talent.     

What are employer benefits? 

They are non-cash perks offered on top of an employee’s normal salary. They can be catered to individual audiences and are a fantastic way to attract and retain great staff members and are typically geared toward improving health and wellness, encouraging positive behaviours and celebrating achievements. 

For example, some common employee benefits include product discounts and flexible working. But we aren’t here to talk about common perks that most employees now expect. Each of the following benefits have been selected from Tempo’s 2022 Super Startups List which features 50 of the top UK scaleups to work for. They include not-so-typical, unique employee perks that could be considered to power-up your perks. Here’s the list. 

1. Pawternity leave 

Many offices have boasted a dog friendly office, however this quirky employee perk really deserves a round of a-paws. Welcoming a new pet into your home isn’t always easy. Pawternity leave (also known as leave to care for your pet), allows employees to take time off to train, help and care for their fur babies to get settled into their new environment, attend to their pet if they are sick or injured and just generally spend more time with them.  

2. Family friendly perks 

Balancing a full time job and taking care of your child can be difficult to manage. It can be made even more difficult if your workplace has little to no family benefits. A few of the Super Startups provide child-friendly perks such as family leave, which enables staff to take time off to care for a family member. One even boasts an on-site nursery! Also, some companies have a salary sacrifice arrangement with their employees which allows staff to get access to tax-free childcare vouchers, however these are dependent on the employee’s earnings.

3. Mental health coaching/Wellbeing Support

With rising levels of employee burnout, it’s no wonder employers have adopted various mental health and wellness days, apps, and programs to support employees. Many of the top 50 Super Startups to work for have incorporated mental health coaching as an employee perk. The health of your employees comes first and supplying staff with the opportunity to work with trained specialists who can provide care, advice and motivation that will ultimately keep your employees feeling continuously supported.  

 4. Gym & fitness

Paid gym memberships, company sports carnivals, home workout equipment, fitness apps and healthy eating plans are some of the active benefits seen in Tempo’s top 50 startups to work for. In some cases, employers negotiate corporate discounts for their employees at local gyms and leisure facilities. Some companies even sport on-site gym space and facilities. There are numerous advantages to providing staff with gym and fitness perks. Not only is it great to have a fit and healthy workforce, but it most importantly demonstrates an employer’s support for their employees wellbeing. 

5. Free barista-made coffee

Despite being known as tea drinkers, it’s fair to say the majority of the UK love a daily coffee as well. It’s something that can be shared with colleagues and linked up with much-needed breaks. It can provide a moment of joy and relaxation within an otherwise hectic work day. This is why many of our top 50 Super Startups offer amazing coffee machines, vouchers for local coffee shops and restocking of quality coffee beans. Some have even adopted free flowing, professionally made coffee in the workplace. Yes, that’s right, a barista making on-site coffee.. all day… for free!

6. Flexible holiday

Employees need to take time off to rest, relax and enjoy their life outside of work. With the flexible holidays benefit, employees can take as much leave as they need. Many companies have ‘unlimited holiday’, which involves a mutual trust between workers and their employers and avoids putting a cap on necessary leave. Some companies even boast higher levels of productivity and satisfaction because of this. Other companies prefer to set an amount that is way above the legal or average amount of paid leave. They found that this way encourages employees to use all of their well-deserved holidays, but hey, every company is different!

7. Fully stocked library/Professional development

Learning and development (L&D) is about fostering a positive environment and culture for individuals to learn and grow. Not only does it increase retention, but it helps employees gain new skills and develop professionally as well as assist in aligning employee goals with that of the organisation’s. And with today’s candidate driven market, employees are demanding more opportunities to learn. Many of our op 50 Super Startups had a substantial L&D budget offered to all staff members for training and upskilling purposes. Some even provided employees with a fully stocked library with free book borrowing!    

8. Volunteering Days

Also known as employer supported volunteering, provides employees of a business the chance to take paid time off to volunteer during work hours. This perk allows employees the opportunity to give back to and build connections with their local communities whilst simultaneously working on areas they feel passionate about. Not only does it strengthen employee retention, but it also enables employees to feel empowered and develop key soft skills including coaching and leadership.    

9. Working Abroad   

As remote and flexible working have become the default for most businesses, working abroad is also being made more of an option for employees. Many Super Startups boast that their employees can work from any local or international office as they wish! Working internationally and being immersed in a different country, language or culture, provides staff the opportunity to build their skills, gain more cultural awareness and new perspectives as well as expand their professional network.

Super Startups

Our Super Startup List is entering its fourth year celebrating impressive startups across the UK. Not only is it a fantastic way to acknowledge amazing scale-ups, but it is a way for job seekers nationwide to discover the best places to work for. Nominate your company today!