What unusual perks do you provide to your employees?

It depends on what you define as unusual I guess. Pets and the office are an awful idea, I am a little scared of dogs and wouldn't be happy if my colleagues surrounded me with them.

I'm all in favour of companies extending their purchase power agreements to their staff, that's a no-cost benefit and is a real step in the right direction, though I'm not convinced that they can't do as well by themselves hunting around on the Internet for a deal.

There are loads of no cost benefits to be had out there though. From allowing people to work where they want (not always practical, but for many it is and the vast majority of my best work has been done in Starbucks when I'm not in meetings or delivering training), to corporate gym membership, or discounts in your local Fast Food store.

A quick ring round of local businesses where you just ask the question, "how would you like to reach our staff?" can work wonders on that front.

You can also ask your staff what they would be willing to sacrifice for benefits, continuing Pamela's massage theme, I've worked in many offices where they allowed massages at the desk for a small fee. Or an extension of dress down Friday in exchange for a charitable donation.

A concierge service is a very nice and useful perk. At my former company the service was staffed and managed inhouse and provided such services and dry cleaning, shipping/packaging, car drop off/pick up for oil changes and such, travel reservations and even lunch take out when the restaraunt didn't deliver. Tipping not necessary or allowed for that matter.

A tank full of petrol for the car for all employees once a year ;)

some of the "perks" I most appreciated at various jobs I held over the years didn't cost the company much--if anything at all.... Obviously free coffee or subsidized cafeterias or discount health club memberships, et. are great, but these are perks I particularly remember.

One company had an indoor vehicle bay with appropriate drainage and a water hose and we could take turns and wash our cars on lunch hours. I did not do it often, but I was young and broke and especially in the winter it was great to be able to do this... Also, you could just bring your car in and do something like change a tail light or headlight bulb in the warm....

We could leave our keys and a check at the front desk and have the mobile oil change guy (who serviced company cars/trucks) change oil/filters, etc. in our cars. Rate was comparable to what I'd pay local garage, Jiffy Lube type places, but the convenience--ah, the convenience! Also, it got me in the habit of paying attention to changing the oil on schedule...

Several places I worked had a local dry cleaners that visited once a week and picked up dirty clothes (laundry and dry cleaning) and returned them the following week... Again, not monetary savings (although it was not more expensive than my local dry cleaners) but the time it saved me was wonderful!

Being allowed to have packages shipped to me at the company/being able to pack and ship (and pay for it of course). Since I was at work at any hours UPS, FedEx, etc. might deliver to me, without this service I'd never have gotten any packages sent to me.... Related: being able to give money to someone who was going to the post office and having them buy stamps for me--great perk--for the same reason.

Not exactly a "perk" perhaps, but a company they used company logo stuff (probably left over from tradeshows, etc.) as "Attaboys." We valued our pens, keychains and assorted stuff--and everyone knew they represented some good deed....

The company discount is a nice perk. Yes, perhaps you may be able to get a better price elsewhere--no one says you have to use the discount! But why just on electronics? Anything where you can get a good price--and convenience (e.g., not have to use precious free time dragging around stores) to buy something is nice. Things that come to mind: school supplies, any cleaning supplies/other things you buy in bulk (e.g., toilet paper).

One job had a cafeteria where you could order things like baked goods, trays of stuff for parties, etc. They needed a couple of days' notice, but you could order that pie you had to take to someone's Thanksgiving feast, a birthday cake for your aunt--a tray of lasagna, hors d'oeuvres--whatever they had on their list. For convenience it could not be beat!

Dogs at work! NOT a good perk! Work is not a place for animals... people are allergic, people are afraid of them, etc.

Does anyone have experience, or know of a company who has an employee 'Trade for Service' board?

ie: The IT coordinator wants their living room painted, and will trade some personal pc time for someone to paint.

It's a way for employees to offer their non-work related services outside of work, meet and interact with others who they may not work with normally, and get some work done, for free!

Email me at stephanie.andrews@banff.ca if you have any ideas please!
Thanks

On-site hand car wash..no cost to employer. Offers convenience
BJ/Costco/Sam's Club discounted membership..no cost to employer
Wearing jeans/sneakers on Fridays ir day before a holiday
Coupons for local businesses in the break rooms
EE's can donate their PTO to other ee's in need
PTO for approved community service activities
On-site apparel/accessory vendors..no cost to employer
Use of company car service if you work past 7 PM