Image: Glen Wright via flickr and under Creative Commons license at time of publishing

Alternative incentives from free lunches to the option of a game of pool during working hours are increasingly being offered by employers in a bid to attract people to their companies.

While the majority of us are just glad to have a job these days, it does help if it’s also a nice place to work.

Of course, we all have bad days at work but if there are some perks, it makes getting through the day a little easier.

In the same week that an Apple employee spoke out about why he quit the company, we look at some of the alternative benefits offered in companies that give workers a reason to stay put.

Warning: You may feel the need to send a memo to your boss with a list of these demands on Monday morning….

Transport

Many companies now offer the ‘Bike to Work’ scheme.  This is a Government initiative which not only encourages staff to cycle to work but to purchase a bike tax-free through the employer.  Some people end up saving up to 52% of the original retail price.

Another perk enjoyed by staff is discounted commuter tickets.  Whether you use bus, tram or rail, monthly or annual tickets can be bought through your employer resulting in a cheaper cost than purchasing directly.

Lunch

Many companies offer their staff a free lunch each day and in the case of Diageo, even after you retire, you are welcome to come back and avail of this benefit.

Another perk workplaces offer is ordering your lunch online and having it delivered to the office.  ‘Down the sofa’ are one company who have a variety of eateries on their books you can order from.

Some places also have an endless supply of bars and biscuits (intended for guests of course) and fruit for the healthy option.  Something for you to snack on when the 4pm slump sets in.

Discounts

Speaking of discounts, a lot of workplaces now have a discounts website where staff can avail of reductions, however small, on holidays, clothes and insurance.

In the UK, it’s not just students who enjoy bargains on a flash of their student cards.  NHS staff can also enjoy discounts at various restaurants and shops when they show their staff IDs.

Working for most retailers you can benefit from discounts on in-store stock, but at Marks & Spencers you can continue the 20% discount on shopping after you retire – that’s if you fully retire and don’t work anywhere else afterwards.

Tickets to events

If you are lucky enough to work for telecoms company TalkTalk, and you’re a fan of The X Factor, you are eligible for a ticket to the show’s live final.

But if you don’t work for TalkTalk, or like The X Factor, don’t despair.  Tickets for sporting events, concerts or theatre shows can become available if your company has an affiliation with a company or sports team you’re not aware of – make some enquiries!

Holidays

Accountancy firm Deloitte offer an incentive during the summer months June, July and August whereby you can leave at 2pm on a Friday.  Not bad if it happens to be sunny or you have a long weekend ahead!

It’s not just the larger companies that can offer good perks.  The medium-sized law firm DWF based in the UK allow staff to buy and sell holidays – therefore allowing more holidays to be taken or re-imbursement for unused days.

And for those of you who dread their birthday coming around, would having a day off to compensate help?  A small solicitor firm in Manchester does just this – another reason to celebrate turning 21 again.

Childcare

This is something which has changed a lot over the years.  Now companies are giving incentives from childcare vouchers to extended paid leave for both mum and dad.

In the US firm of Deloitte, emergency back-up is available for when you need to be at work but your usual childcare has fallen through. 

Sports & Social

This usually involves a small contribution each month from your pay packet towards social events throughout the year like team nights out or Christmas parties.  But some go further.

Another accountancy firm, Grant Thornton, offer a ‘Payday Breakfast’.  A what?  Well, nothing too fancy but on the day you get paid, a breakfast of pastries, tea and coffee is available for staff to help themselves to.  One way to kickstart the day when we all feel rich again, even if only for a short time.

Work/Life Balance

Away days have become popular in companies as a way of getting some downtime with work colleagues.  Some may groan at the idea of this but a couple of days away, most likely paid for, isn’t the worst idea, surely?

Deloitte, among others, offer subsidies towards gyms and exercise classes, as well as discounts on events during the year like Taste of Dublin. 

Time out

Having a games room or pool table in the office seems strange right?  Not for employees at Google. 

During working hours, staff can take some time out to get away from their desks to re-charge. 

If that’s not enough there is also a full-time masseuse to help you relax and take away any tension built up over the day.  Just make sure you don’t fall asleep and forget you still have to finish a day’s work.

Other perks

These are things that people bounced around the Newstalk office that they had heard of from friends – we’d like to know where some of these people work!:

• Easter eggs (at Easter), ice lollies on a sunny day
• Cash in their Christmas card
• Vouchers for being an ‘exceptional’ employee and ‘going the extra mile’
• When monthly targets met, leaving early on the Friday and head to the local bar for a drink and snacks
• ‘Flexi-time’
• Various insurance, whether free or discounted, including medical, motor and household
• Employee pension contributions

Tell us below what perk you'd like to see in your workplace - all suggestions welcome!

Thank you to Damien D and Pauline G for images from flickr under Creative Commons license at time of publishing