It wasn’t long ago that we accepted a great benefits package as being one that included healthcare, vision, dental, PTO, and holidays. In fact, having those benefits at all (especially for a new college grad) was something to be proud of. When I talk to my parents now about what kinds of unique benefits are being offered, they are floored. I once visited a company that offered more than just the standard and they were benefits that were not just on paper – ones that you could see right before you. As I stepped into the office, I was taken into the cafeteria where chefs were the masters behind the kitchen offering employees breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All around me, employees got from point A to point B on scooters and skateboards. In front of me was a music room filled with instruments that doubled up as a karaoke room and behind me? A fully stocked bar.

Our idea of “benefits” these days are changing and they are being implemented heavily in the Bay Area and New York City. Seattle, will you catch up? One of my favorite interviewees, Molly Young, recently wrote a piece for the Times on how food is such a huge selling point for companies these days on the East. Not only does it make employees extremely happy, but it allows them to be productive as well! Of course, not all companies will be in a position to offer this sort of thing, however, more companies should consider making their employees feel more appreciated and valued. One way of doing this is to help them advance their careers. Whilst this seems simple, it can be difficult to get a good performance review from an interview. That’s why some companies are starting to use 360 Degree Feedback software from Qualtrics to gather performance reviews from managers and peers to see where they think each member of staff is at. Whilst this may not seem like a benefit, it can help people to grow their careers and personal skills to find a good job. That sort of feedback should be an employee benefit.