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Ten Ways (Other Than Salary) to Tickle Employees

As a not-for-profit, you might be known for the rewarding work and amiable environment you offer employees. But this slice of the labor market isn't known for its lavish salaries or cushy benefit packages. Still, it doesn't always take a lot of money to make employees happy. Here are 10 modest—but interesting—ways to sweeten the deal.

1. Have a mystery outing, unannounced. Rent a bus and take your staff to a baseball game, an amusement park or a site to play laser tag. Put fun back into the equation.
2. If your organization (for example, a hospital) has a fitness center, give employees a free membership. If you don't have one, hire an instructor to lead a free aerobics, pilates or yoga class.
3. Offer telecommuting. Employees have personal responsibilities to attend to at home—for example, letting in the repairman. So give them a break a few days a month or more.
4. Provide technologies. Offer cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and laptop computers to help make telecommuting easier. These benefits can be tax-free to the extent they are used for work.
5. If your organization has a cafeteria, offer employees free lunch or dinner—or at least a sizable discount. Employees' hearts—and stomachs—are likely to appreciate it.
6. Consider an old staple that seems to have lost some popularity: paid training or classes. Remember, boosting employees' skills adds value to your not-for-profit too.
7. Offer free legal counsel to employees. Some organizations have their general counsel available to employees and family members for wills, trusts, purchase agreements and other life-planning services. Consider adding this feature.
8. Encourage healthy habits. Subsidize a portion of the cost for nicotine patches, weight-loss programs and the like.
9. Provide free or reduced-rate parking. For many employees, this is more than a perk. It might make it affordable to work for your organization. If your organization doesn't have parking readily available, look into deals with nearby lots or garages.
10. Utilize your unique environment. Only you know what your particular organization can offer. This could include a zoo offering a feed-a-baby animal hour to its employees or a school using the gym for quarterly employee vs. management basketball games. Tap into whatever makes your organization unique.

There are many ways to motivate workers without dazzling salaries or top-of-the line benefit packages. Whatever your organization chooses, make sure it's something your employees would use.

Questions?
Contact Gen Burns at 312-980-2910.

This publication is part of Blackman Kallick’s marketing of professional services, and is not written tax advice directed at the specific facts and circumstances of any person and/or entity. Contents of this publication are of a general nature, and you should not act on this information without obtaining professional advice from your business advisor that is appropriately tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. This written advice is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code.