Right now, there’s a good chance that if you own a business, at least some of your team members are working from home.

Many businesses have quickly been required to pivot, relegating as many team members as possible to work remotely for everyone’s safety. While some employees love it and would consider that a perk in and of itself, the reality is that it’s harder for businesses and their owners to offer the same kind of perks and relationship-building opportunities to staff remotely than they do in-person.

Because of this, plenty of small and large businesses alike are shifting to offer flexible financial benefits in the form of employee stipends. HR managers can distribute these stipends to each individual team member, and when Hoppier, they can redeem the stipend for product categories approved by the company.

In this post, we’re going to go over different types of work from home perks that your team will love, helping you keep your staff engaged even when the office is empty.  

Why Remote Perks are So Powerful 

Work from home perks are a great way to show your staff that you appreciate them and value them, even when they’re not sitting at a desk in front of you five days a week. 

This is essential. Employee engagement rates are directly tied to higher retention rates and increased productivity, both of which save money and make more money in the short- and long-term. And employee engagement is directly tied to employee appreciation, which can include a shoutout in a meeting or perks that your team loves.

Keep in mind that you likely offer many perks in-office that you may not even realize. This could include snacks and drinks, but it also may include everything from career advancement training, office supplies, and even access to a local gym. When employees shift from in-office to remote work, they lose these perks, and they can add up.

As a result, using software like Hoppier’s to give employees stipends that they can spend on HR-approved categories and items is a solid choice. It allows employees freedom and flexibility to choose what they want, while the company still has some control to ensure the money isn’t being spent on non-work related items. 

Let’s take a look at four of the most popular and beneficial work from home perks that your team will love. 

Food & Beverage Delivery 

You may not realize how much your team loves in-office food and beverage perks as much as they do. A busy mom with two kids at home might really look forward to that cup of espresso coffee in your breakroom, or even having team lunches out once a week can be a treat for someone on a tight budget.

Allowing your team to spend some of their stipend on food and beverage delivery is a huge asset, especially right now when times are tight and resources are a little limited.

Think about options like snack bags and beverages like Bubbly, which can be delivered to your team’s home address. You can also allow them to purchase meal subscription boxes like those from Home Chef or Purple Carrot, allowing them to feed not only themselves but the family that may be working from home with them. 

If you really want to go all out, consider giving your team gift cards for food delivery like DoorDash or UberEats. When in doubt, you can even set up a conference call for happy hour for your team. 

Wellness Programs 

Right now, wellness is of heightened importance to everyone. 

There are plenty of wellness benefits that you can offer your team, helping them to be healthier physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Even offering healthy snack options can go a long way, especially since they can be delivered right to your employee’s door.

You should also consider resources for healthier living overall. There are formal wellness programs that you can offer as a perk to your entire staff that may include preventative counseling, mental health resources, gym memberships, and even equipment like exercise trackers like FitBits. 

Wellness programs can impact employee appreciation levels, and it may encourage your employees to get more sleep, take care of themselves, manage their stress, and come to work (in office or at home!) ready to go. 

Educational Offerings 

There’s a good chance that your top talent wants to advance in the workplace. That’s part of what makes them top talent. In order to do that, they’ll regularly look for opportunities to learn, grow, and improve their skillset. 

Companies that offer educational perks, therefore, can easily attract ambitious, hardworking people who want to grow with a company. These are exactly the types of employees you want to attract.

Educational perks can include budgets for online, industry-specific certifications and training courses. It can also include stipends for advanced degrees through conventional universities, or even allotments for each individual to attend a certain number of conferences per year (with travel and stay included, of course). 

Right now, educational content for kids can be thrown into the mix, too, especially with kids working from home.

Office Supplies 

Office supplies might not sound as exciting as wellness programs or attending a conference, but this is a crucial perk that your team will sorely miss once they’re working remotely.

It’s not just about paper and pens, though those matter, too; even having a comfortable working chair and desk and a functioning computer with high internet isn’t something that all of your staff may automatically have at home. Plenty of people have been forced to work at the kitchen table next to their kids on a slow, shared internet connection, struggling to get work done.

Your team needs certain office supplies to get their job done well, and work from home perks that can help them get these resources will be highly valued by your team while benefiting your company, too.

Conclusion 

Taking the time to offer your team strong, incentivizing work from home perks can keep your team motivated and excited about their jobs, making them well worth investing in if you have the ability to do so. ‍

Hoppier’s Stipend Management Software allows your team members to decide what they need on their own when it comes to office supplies and then quickly and easily order it (within a budget, of course). There’s no need to submit expense reports for approval, which only slows down HR and can take a significant amount of time. Your team can get what they need now, so they can focus on the job at hand. 

Remember that your team is always worth investing in, and that’s just as true now than ever. 

Interested in setting up work from home benefits for remote employees that will keep your team engaged? Check out Hoppier’s Stipend Management Software here!