Under the term benefits we see all the financial and non financial advances companies offer to their employees and most of all it’s a bait for the job candidates. Some companies have the whole list of benefits, others offer for example just meal vouchers, etc. Is that true that more benefits makes happier employees? We do not think so. The reality seems to oppose to it actually.
Small and medium sized companies usually do not offer big spectrum of benefits, their HR people are trying to accommodate to this trend on the job market but mostly unsuccessfully for the financial reasons. So, it is not exceptional, that companies offer just law enforced 4 weeks vacation, and maybe some meal concessions, but that’s it. These companies on the other hand usually treat their employees with lots of respect, personal consideration means a lot here, they all pull together and all are working for the business to grow.
Big international companies usually offer many benefits such as extra vacation days, cafeteria, occupational pension scheme, gas money, recruitment commission. This, according to our experience and surveys, impresses especially the new employee, but after some time we all get used to it quickly and benefits are not such a motivational factor anymore. More important is the possibility of our professional growth, the company policies, team cooperation, and if we can “breathe” freely and a knowledge we are not just a small part of a huge machinery.
I’d say that it’s very helpful if the company offers some benefits, at least extra paid vacation, sick days or occasionally home office. But, on the long run, no benefit will make us happy, so we recommend to pay attention to the company vibes, manager’s or HR person’s attitude towards to us, the current employees satisfaction…. Is it 6pm and most of the people are still at work? Maybe it’s an exception, but it might also be a norm you will have to be a part of. We need to pay attention to how people collaborate, if the company supports the professional growth of the employees, if there are possibilities for internal job position change, opportunity for learning new views and skills. Not having these options is the most common reason for quitting the job and looking for the new one.
We wish you good luck with all the future interviews and remember… promises mean nothing… benefits are a great advantage but it is not everything.
