The Benefits The Best Workplaces Offer Employees

Inc.’s annual Best Workplaces survey found that benefits that focus on wellness outweigh fun, lightweight perks such as free coffee and happy hours.

The survey of 422,000 employees across 3,000 companies in North America revealed that the pandemic has taken a huge toll on the mental health of employees. Of the companies that were named Inc.’s Best Workplace, 70% of them offered access to mental health resources, counselors and other employee assistance programs.

The majority of the 429 Best Workplaces also offered flexible working hours, with many making this policy a priority in the past year. Getting rid of the traditional 9 to 5 model has been found to offer more freedom for employees and aid in their work-life balance.

Many companies among the top workplaces also enhanced their pet policies in the past year. For instance, investment management software provider Ridgeline has started offering employees two days of paid time off if they adopt a pet.

Retirement plans have long been a necessary benefit for many employees, but the past year has accelerated the need to improve these programs, with 97% of companies on the list now offering 401(k), Simple IRA or other retirement options.

Additionally, 58% of this year’s Best Workplace stated that they offer unlimited paid time off to employees. Even some companies reserve one day each month to be served as a company holiday or mental health day such as San Francisco-based software firm Sift.