While paid time off and health insurance are often expected benefits with many jobs, some small business owners are going the extra mile by offering their employees some unusual perks.
According to Ventureneer.com, some small business owners are changing the way they've been taught to do business in order to retain employees as well as keep them motivated and productive.
The change may be attributed to the fact that the recession has made it difficult for small firms to give their employees salary raises and other financial bonuses. Instead, business owners are getting creative.
"Before the recession, it was all about doing things faster. If that didn't work out, hire someone else," business consultant Johnny Laurent told Reuters. "Now, to keep them, you have to engage employees with the vision so they own part of it."
The news provider reports that communicating the company's mission and finding ways to show workers how they're contributing to it is critical. It also means finding ways, other than offering them more money, to show your appreciation.
Some of the perks being offered include flexible hours, memberships to club stores and gyms, monthly cookouts with contests, paid time off for volunteer work, free housecleaning every two weeks and tuition reimbursement.
"The cost of employee replacement is high and the benefit of continuity is great," small business owner Ken Lehman told Ventureneer.com.