When you’re considering a job offer, it’s always a great idea to negotiate for the best salary and benefits you can get. However, those are points of negotiation that primarily work solely in your favor. Why not negotiate for perks that will actually make you more productive as an employee, too?
There are numerous reasons for doing this. First, your productivity will improve your standing with the company. Second, you’ll have a more fulfilling job as you are more likely to meet goals. Finally, you’ll set a precedent for other employees who will benefit from your efforts and contribute to the success of your company. It doesn’t hurt that your chances of getting these perks are higher since they actually benefit the company, either.
So, with that in mind, here are a few perks you should negotiate for.
1. A Family Care Program
The most important – and often the most stressful – needs in someone’s life is family. A great child care program benefits employers because it reduces absenteeism and turnover. It will also increase overall employee productivity. According to a report by American Business collaboration, 63% of member employees saw increased productivity at work thanks to quality dependent care.
Obviously, not every company can be like tech giant Google and provide an unbelievable family care program on a moment’s notice. In that case, ask for subsidized care at a quality day care in your area.
2. Paid Leave for Family Time
Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube, says that when Google (the parent company of YouTube) raised paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 18 weeks in 2007, the number of new moms who left the company fell by 50%. She also cites a Center for Economic and Policy Research study showing that California employers saw improved productivity, better morale, and reduced turnover after the Golden State mandated paid medical leave.
You can negotiate for maternity/paternity leave and/or paid time off for family medical issues. Mattel actually offers paid leave for employees who want to go on a school field trip with their child. There’s no reason you can’t ask for the same.
3. Paid Training
What’s going to make you a better employee? More training.
One study shows that employees who receive training are, on average, more productive than workers who don’t. Specifically, employers who provide training see a 1% to 2% measured productivity improvement when compared against companies that offer no such training.
Why not negotiate for paid training that will not only help you excel in your career but will also benefit your employer because you’ll have a superior skill set?
Oshkosh Corporation offers its employees instructor-led, web-based and video-based training, free of charge, so they can get promoted faster. If your company isn’t able to do on-site training, ask for compensation for other training programs that relate to your industry.
4. A Wellness Program
Do you want to stay fit and in good health? There are companies out there that will help pay for that.
One of the more recent trends in human resources involves offering what’s called a “Wellness Program” to employees. That program involves everything from gym memberships to seminars about nutrition, or even offering incentives for wellness. Other programs even go so far as to offer on-site chiropractic services, prepared meals, and “energy pods” for naps.
Why do companies offer this? It’s because people who are healthy in body also tend to be healthy in mind. That benefits employers as well as employees. In fact, companies that offer wellness programs see productivity increase by eight percent. Here’s why:
People with healthy weights take fewer sick days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Medical costs increase with risk factors. ConAgra’s wellness program includes a health assessment that helps identify risk factors including BMI, cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose. Since those with four or more health risks cost 2.5 more than those with two or less, employees get reduced insurance premiums for being in healthy ranges.
5. Working From Home
Believe it or not, you can be more productive if you work from home. According to a 2014 study, people who work from home simply accomplish more than those who are stuck at the office. Study author Nicholas Bloom attributes one-third of the increase in productivity to the absence of distractions that are present in the office, something he calls the “cake in the break room” effect.
Another great benefit to working from home is it gives you some flexibility with your schedule and your responsibilities towards your family. So, telecommuting can actually offer two productivity enhancing benefits: You’ll have the aforementioned family care benefit as well as the obvious work-from-home benefit, both of which will boost your productivity.
Guest blogger Sarah Landrum is a freelance writer and founder of Punched Clocks. Subscribe to her blog and follow her on Twitter @SarahLandrum for more great advice on all things career-related.
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5 Perks To Negotiate That’ll Make You AND Your Boss Happy is a post from TheGrindstone - Tips on career, business & work place for women, including interview advice, resume help and strategy and office style..