But forget lavish extras: The focus is now lifestyle
By Diane E. Lewis, Globe Staff *|* July 8, 2004
The economy is coming back and so are the perks.
But forget the fancy cars and foosball tables that dominated the dot-com era. Instead, specialists are predicting that companies eager to recruit and retain workers will offer a slew of lifestyle benefits as the economy recharges. The new perks range from pet insurance and home-buyer assistance programs to ''quiet" rooms to alleviate stress and onsite chiropractors to help workers ease aches and pains.
Many of these new benefits are designed to promote worker well-being at a time when US employers are struggling to contain healthcare costs. Specialists say perceptive employers are looking to create ''psychologically healthy" workplaces where stress is kept to a minimum, teamwork is encouraged, and flexibility is the norm.
''The goal, of course, is to keep costs down," said Richard Federico, vice president of work life and communications at The Segal Co., a New York-based human resources consultant. ''With all the concerns about healthcare costs, the other thrust is getting people to pay more attention to keeping themselves well and providing meaningful programs that will do that."
This year, the Society for Human Resource Management listed 217 offerings in its annual benefits survey, about 21 more than in 2003. The newcomers include low or no-interest loans, personal tax services, child-care expenses for parents on business travel, pet-care arrangements for traveling workers, and drop-off photo developing services.
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/07/08/benefits_are_back/
By Diane E. Lewis, Globe Staff *|* July 8, 2004
The economy is coming back and so are the perks.
But forget the fancy cars and foosball tables that dominated the dot-com era. Instead, specialists are predicting that companies eager to recruit and retain workers will offer a slew of lifestyle benefits as the economy recharges. The new perks range from pet insurance and home-buyer assistance programs to ''quiet" rooms to alleviate stress and onsite chiropractors to help workers ease aches and pains.
Many of these new benefits are designed to promote worker well-being at a time when US employers are struggling to contain healthcare costs. Specialists say perceptive employers are looking to create ''psychologically healthy" workplaces where stress is kept to a minimum, teamwork is encouraged, and flexibility is the norm.
''The goal, of course, is to keep costs down," said Richard Federico, vice president of work life and communications at The Segal Co., a New York-based human resources consultant. ''With all the concerns about healthcare costs, the other thrust is getting people to pay more attention to keeping themselves well and providing meaningful programs that will do that."
This year, the Society for Human Resource Management listed 217 offerings in its annual benefits survey, about 21 more than in 2003. The newcomers include low or no-interest loans, personal tax services, child-care expenses for parents on business travel, pet-care arrangements for traveling workers, and drop-off photo developing services.
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/07/08/benefits_are_back/
