7 Unconventional employee benefits in India that keep teams engaged

Quick reads

• Employee engagement thrives when organisations provide more than the standard benefits.
• Flexible work arrangements enable employees to balance their personal and professional lives, which increases motivation.
• Mental health and wellness programmes play a key role in building a supportive and engaged workplace.
• Investing in opportunities for personal development demonstrates to employees that they are valued more than their work.
• Recognition programmes assist in building the emotional connection between employees and the organisation.
• Employee benefits in India such as unlimited PTO and pet policies help create a more contented, loyal employee base.

Employee benefits have been a mainstay of talent attraction and retention for decades, but the old-school benefits packages are changing. In the competitive job market of today, firms must look beyond the standard health insurance and retirement benefits to maintain their workers' motivation, happiness, and engagement. 

With the changing nature of the workplace environment, the demand for out-of-the-box employee benefits that encourage professional development and personal wellness has never been greater. These advantages not only retain team motivation but also contribute to creating a healthier, more loyal, and productive workforce.

What do you mean by employee engagement, and why is it important?

Before jumping into out-of-the-box employee benefits, let's learn about what employee engagement is and why it's important. 

Employee involvement is the emotional connection employees have with their organisation and its mission. When employees are engaged, they are more productive, innovative, and committed to their company. Engagement, however, transcends monetary rewards. It includes building a workplace where employees feel appreciated, supported, and motivated to perform their best work.

Traditional employee benefits, such as health insurance or retirement plans, certainly play a role in employee satisfaction, but they often fail to provide the deeper connection needed for lasting engagement. As organisations strive to create an engaging workplace, many are turning to unconventional employee benefits to meet the diverse needs and expectations of their teams.

7 different types of unconventional employee benefits

Unconventional employee benefits in India go beyond the standard offerings to address the evolving needs and expectations of today's workforce. 

Here are seven different types of unconventional employee benefits that Indian organisations can consider: 

1. Flexible work arrangements

Perhaps the biggest change of recent decades has been the trend towards flexible work arrangements. Employees, particularly younger generations, are increasingly demanding more control over their schedules and workplaces. Flexibility is not merely working from home; it's about providing flexible hours, compressed workweeks, or even work from anywhere in the globe.

In Indian employee benefits, where there is sometimes a rigid work culture, providing flexible working arrangements can make all the difference. Employees are more productive and less stressed if they have freedom to control their time, thus significantly increasing the level of engagement. Organisations providing such flexibility build trust in employees, which is a major prerequisite for building motivation and loyalty.

2. Mental health and wellness support

Over the past few years, workplace wellness programmes have become a major focus, particularly as the world continues to discuss mental health more and more. Providing mental health assistance as an employee benefit can be an extremely effective method of keeping employees engaged and productive.

Alternative mental health benefits, including the availability of counselling services, mental health days off, stress-management seminars, and mindfulness programmes, are becoming necessary for businesses wishing to remain competitive. In India, where mental illness is frequently stigmatised, making such availability can distinguish a company from its rivals and demonstrate that the health of employees matters.

What to check before introducing a mental health benefit:

1. Is access confidential?
2. Do employees know how to access the service?
3. Are managers trained to respond appropriately?
4. Is participation voluntary?

3. Opportunities for personal growth

In the pursuit of having a motivated and engaged workforce, personal development investment can be very rewarding for both the employer and the employee. 

Unconventional employee benefits in India that aim at personal development go beyond professional growth; they are about assisting employees in discovering their passions and building skills that can enhance their lives both within and outside the workplace. Most organisations are providing stipends or sponsorship to their employees for education not directly related to their job, i.e., acquiring a new language, learning something creative, or discovering one's hobbies. 

4. Employee recognition programmes

One of the strongest instruments for increasing employee engagement is recognition. Non-traditional employee recognition initiatives can be extremely diverse, ranging from immediate recognition incentives (such as recognition in a team meeting) to hand-written thank-you cards or one-of-a-kind experiences. By making workers feel noticed and valued, such programmes reinforce employees' emotional connection with the firm.

One innovative way of employee appreciation is through peer-to-peer awards, in which employees may nominate co-workers for awards on the basis of contributions and collaboration. Rewards may also include paid time off, spa treatments, or event tickets to concerts or sports games. With the provision of concrete rewards and open praise, firms can promote a more positive and engaged workplace culture.

You can read more about it on Empower Your Workforce: Unlocking the Power of Employee Appreciation with Pluxee Gift Cards

5. Unconventional time-off policies

The traditional vacation days are no longer sufficient to ensure employee satisfaction and engagement. Unconventional time-off policies that enable employees to take time off from work when they need it most are now being offered by many companies. This could include unlimited paid time off (PTO), mental health days, or a "sabbatical" policy that is company-wide.

6. Pet-friendly policies

For employees, being able to bring their pets to work can be a game-changer in terms of job satisfaction. Pet-friendly policies are one of the most unusual employee benefits in India that are becoming popular in today's workplaces. Employees who are able to bring their pets to the workplace or take time throughout the day to attend to them are more likely to feel calm and focused at work.

This benefit may be nontraditional, but it fits into the overall vision of having a caring, flexible, and stimulating workplace. For employees who think their pets are members of the family, this policy can help encourage a stronger attachment to the organisation. Moreover, several organisations in India are now introducing pet-care leave as part of their employee benefits, reflecting a growing recognition of the diverse needs of today’s workforce.

7. Financial wellness programmes

Financial stress can have a profound influence on workplace engagement. Most businesses are currently offering financial workplace wellness programmes that involve the availability of financial planning tools, counselling for debt, retirement planning, and even assistance with repayment of student loans. The initiatives are particularly useful in nations such as India, where financial literacy is not always emphasised.

You can read more about it in ​​Designing Employee Reimbursement Programs for Enhanced Financial Well-Being and Satisfaction

HR team implementation checklist

Some guidelines for successful implementation of unconventional benefits in an Indian firm include the following HR team checklist:

1. Survey employees to determine which benefits they value most.
2. Write up an official policy that determines the eligibility requirements for flexible working conditions.
3. Work with wellness partners certified under national health standards.
4. Set up an internal peer recognition system.
5. Organise financial and mental health awareness seminars quarterly.
6. Monitor the use of benefits every six months.

End note

In the current competitive job market, traditional employee benefits are no longer sufficient to retain teams. Non-traditional benefits such as flexible work schedules, mental health services, and individualised learning opportunities not only enhance employee well-being but also encourage stronger connections to the firm.

For organisations looking to offer greater choice in employee benefits and recognition, Pluxee brings meal and employee benefits together with rewards and recognition solutions. Our benefits suite can help organisations give employees more choice while creating structured ways to recognise and reward their contributions. 

FAQs

1. How can Pluxee enhance employee engagement?

Pluxee offers personalised employee benefits such as wellness programmes, rewards and recognition tools, and lifestyle benefits, all geared to enhance employee satisfaction and engagement.

2. Does Pluxee have wellness programmes for employees?

Yes, Pluxee provides wellness programmes such as mental health services, fitness club membership, and well-being programmes that engage employees and promote their well-being.

3. Is there a minimum employee requirement to partner with Pluxee?

Pluxee benefits suite is a 100% digital and 100% flexible employee benefits solution. You can select the benefits of your choice based on employee grades or the organisation's requirements. There is no minimum number of employees needed to select the employee benefit solution.