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Five perks highly valued by millennials at work
A high salary is not always what attracts millennial workers the most.
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A high salary is not always what attracts millennial workers the most. (Shutterstock/Pitchaya Pingpithayakul)
T
oday's workforce is different. There are times when the interests of millennials do not align with those of their employers. Despite what some employers may think, a high salary is not always what attracts millennials the most.
Inc. listed five workplace benefits that millennials are likely to value.
1. Non-monetary perks
For the younger generation, desired perks differ from employee to employee.
Standard options for health insurance, annual bonuses and other traditional benefits are always great. But small yet thoughtful benefits are also effective motivators.
Free-flow coffee and/or tea is something a lot of millennials appreciate. Free movie tickets as a reward for hard work and other merit-based rewards are effective and easy ways to keep young employees happy.
Others suggested perks are discounts for public transportation, partial coverage for post-graduate education and bonus vacation days.
2. Access to or acquisition of new ‘toys’
Computers and other essential office supplies are a must for any modern-day company. However, depending on the employee, there are other tools they might need. An employee who values great editing, for example, might prefer using the Mac iOS instead of Microsoft Windows, while computer-savvy intellectuals might prefer a Linux, which they can custom build to maximum effect.
It all depends on preference and need, but providing your employees with the relevant tools will ensure that the millennials in your workforce complete projects more efficiently, and to the best of their ability. This will maximize employee productivity, as well as your company’s.
Other non-traditional needs may include a second monitor for dual-screen work, a gaming mouse instead of a normal mouse for faster navigation and clicking speed (plus less stress on your mouse hand, which will help prevent carpal tunnel and other problems), or noise-cancelling headphones. Remember to allow your employees to voice their needs to help them work as best as they can.
3. Stay fit, stay happy
Having a company-sponsored gym membership can be great for a lot of employees, no matter the age. But different employees will have different exercise regimes – one employee might prefer a gym membership, while another might want healthier lunch options or a discounted spa membership.
By giving your workforce the chance to choose their personal health options, they can enjoy the wellness perks that best suits their needs. A happier, healthier workforce is better for any workplace.
4. Breaks, when needed
Innovative companies have already caught on to the idea of flexible holidays. The usual holidays such as Idul Fitri or Christmas are great, but not all employees celebrate them.
A great example of flexible holiday scheduling would be to give employees the option to take off from work on their birthday, or allow them to cover for an employee during one holiday so that they can celebrate another without having to work.
Harvard Business review recently conducted a study that showed that a more diverse workforce led to increased creativity and faster decision-making. Allowing this diverse workforce to celebrate their preferred holiday would allow them to feel valued by their employer.
5. Embrace diversity
It is common practice today for a company to emphasize diversity, whether in terms of gender, age, race or something else. However, a diverse set of values is also important. Focusing on personality, compatibility, abilities and merits is what brings about true workplace diversity.
According to Entrepreneur, by embracing differences, a business landscape would be able to spark innovation, better understand and serve clients and gain a competitive advantage.
Read also: Four characteristics of Asia Pacific millennial travelers
Research studies on management in the US found a link between diversity and productivity. When each worker in a group has at least one diverse trait, they are challenged to prepare better and work harder in order to be seen as performing well among the group.
Whatever your company needs from today’s workforce can be attained when you truly understand what matters to the young employees and potential employees of the millennial workforce. (acr/mut)
