Niche benefits to ask about in your next interview

Many companies understand that to attract job seekers, offering fair salaries and basic benefits like paid sick leave, insurance coverage, and retirement savings plans is a must. However, when it comes to going above and beyond the bare minimum, many organizations fall short.

Snack rooms and lunch vouchers are nice, but failing to offer competitive benefits that make a real difference to employees can be the difference between job seekers choosing one company over another. In fact, 58% of job-seekers said that one of the top attributes that they were looking for in a new position was an increase in income or an improvement to their benefits package. Knowing not just that these benefits exist, but why they are essential is the key to advocating for them in an interview. So, what can you ask for, and why is it important?

The benefit of benefits

Employee benefits packages and additional perks not only attract top talent but also retain employees by keeping them happy, productive, and motivated. According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, offering employees benefits related to work-life balance, paid leave, personal and professional development, and health/wellness resulted in higher levels of productivity and engagement.

Unfortunately, many employers and employees have misaligned views on what they consider important perks. Employers may try to entice potential employees with things like catered lunch on Fridays or company happy hours while ignoring perks that could actually increase their workers’ well-being and motivation.

Young employees joining the workforce are especially aware of employee benefits and place an emphasis on work-life balance during their job search. The 2024 Mercer Global Talent Trend Report found that younger employees were more likely to opt out of a pay raise in exchange for better benefits like flexible hours or tuition reimbursement. Now more than ever, if companies want to attract job-seekers, they need to adjust. So, what could they offer?

Flexible hours and location

Though many employers are attempting to entice workers back into the office, employees now accustomed to a more flexible routine might not even consider things like free lunches and office parties as benefits. Instead, allowing employees to take advantage of flexible hours and remote work, or giving them the option to return to the office when they want allows them the freedom to work where and when they feel most productive. This is especially true of those job-seekers and employees who would otherwise require child or parent care.

This can also apply to a flexible holiday schedule. While many federal holidays in the U.S. are targeted towards white, Christian, and American workers, allowing employees to take floating holiday time off on top of any federal holidays when it’s most suited to them religiously and culturally, can increase productivity and overall happiness.

Family and fertility support

Many companies have also started adding fertility and family planning assistance to their employee benefits portfolio. CapitalOne, for example, boasts, “Support for your growing family, including fertility coverage, and adoption or surrogacy reimbursement.” In vitro fertilization (IVF) as well as sperm and egg freezing can be very costly for employees. According to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, 90% of people facing long-term infertility have experienced depression, and 65% of women say infertility treatment was more stressful than losing their job. By offering assistance in these procedures, employers can improve the well-being and happiness of their employees.

Tuition reimbursement

Investing in professional advancement increases loyalty in the workforce, and allowing workers to build their skills and gain more knowledge is a great way for companies to increase productivity and retention. According to a study by Clear Co, employee retention is 34% higher among employees who have opportunities for professional development, and those companies that invested in employee development earned a 58% increase in retention.

Student loan repayment

Similarly, student loan forgiveness is an extremely attractive benefit for job-seekers. There are different ways companies can offer this, such as offering a signing bonus for new employees or utilizing a payment plan in which employers make direct payments to the loan provider on the worker’s behalf. Employers may also offer higher salaries on the stipulation that a portion of the salary goes toward the loan payment.

Mental (and physical) health support

A focus on employee well-being is top of mind for many job-seekers, whether that be a healthy work/life balance, gym membership stipends, reimbursement, or access to mental health resources and support. The World Health Organization estimates that globally, 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, costing companies a total of $1 trillion each year accounting for lost productivity. Along with comprehensive physical health, dental, and vision insurance, employers can also help combat mental health issues by offering payment reimbursement plans for therapy or paid mental health leave.

Transportation reimbursement

Especially for employees who are struggling with a return to the office mandate, commuting is an added expense where employers may offer some relief. For employees who own their own cars, companies can offer mileage reimbursements and toll payments. Offering transit passes and bike reimbursements can also encourage more sustainable modes of transportation.

Pet insurance

More and more, employers are recognizing the importance of pet health and security for their employees. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, younger generations are having fewer children, and are instead opting for pets. 51% of employees rank pet insurance among the top benefits which could sway their decision to take a new job. When considering benefits that will attract and retain employees, companies who value their employees’ pets’ health might have a leg up.

The takeaway

Though employees will always want higher salaries, this alone is not enough for employers to attract and retain a happy, healthy, and productive workforce. Successful companies care about and consider the needs of their employees, and a comprehensive benefits package with niche and helpful perks is a great way to stay competitive with job seekers, keep employees engaged, and reduce turnover. So, now that you know what companies may be offering, you can show up to your next interview informed and ready to get what you deserve!

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