11 Company Benefits All Employees Want

The news of Sweden implementing a 6-hour work-day policy at the start of October caused quite a stir around the world. A wave of news articles rose, addressing the policy, and how feasible it would be for other countries to adopt the policy too.

In Malaysia, we saw the Malaysian Trade’s Union Congress (MTUC) put forward demands to the Malaysian government to mirror Sweden’s move. MTUC’s reasoning for the demand was that many in Malaysia currently work up to 12 hours in a day to gain more income. Various health issues due to inability to live a wholesome and balanced life were among other reasons given.

Surprisingly, there seemed to be more negative remarks from the public with regards to MTUC’s demand. Many citizens felt that Malaysia, as a country, is not ready for a change of the current work policy.

Moreover, many companies are actively adopting different forms of benefits and perks to help employees achieve better work-life balance. So, there may not be a need to adopt a 6-hour work day policy any time soon, if other benefits are adopted in Malaysian work places.

Here are top 11 company benefits that our users have shared about their work places:

1. Subsidized gym / fitness classes memberships

We all know that there are countless positive outcomes to our physical and mental health that come with regular exercise. The promotion for employees to adopt a more active lifestyle also brings about many tangible benefits to employers: improvement of company morale, increase in productivity and efficiency, as well as a decrease in health care costs.

Chur & Associates encourages its employees to go for yoga or zumba classes together. This also helps employees build closer bonds with one another.

2. Well-stocked Pantry

Most employers do ensure that the office pantry is well-stocked with coffee, tea and milo, which is great! However, employers can take it a step further by providing healthy and nutritious snacks as well. This promotes better health and productivity, as employees often feed themselves sugar and sodium-filled snacks that cause them to feel lethargic shortly after.

Some offices also provide breakfast for their employees because they know that most workers come to work on an empty stomach. One such company is BFM radio.

3. Out-of-work activities

For many employees, work becomes a real chore when the only thing you have to look forward to is going home at the end of the day. Many people have said that they enjoy having after work activities with their colleagues - taking the time to build the camaraderie in the team with non-work related activities - and these activities can be anything from going bowling, watching a movie, or simply having dinner and drinks together.

If you and your colleagues are more gung-ho, you can even plan more exciting activites such as a game of paintball on the weekend, a day trip to Malacca for the streetfood or dragonboat racing, if you work at Skrine.

4. Annual dinners / company trips

While this is not exactly a new concept, not all companies adopt this practice of annual dinners and company trips. There is a misconception that only big companies should have to have annual dinner and company trips, but we think not!

These dinners and trips are a great way for employers to show their team that they appreciate the hard work they have contributed to the company throughout the year. It is also a great way to let loose after slaving the year away!

5. Good office design

We spend more than 8 hours a day working in our offices. A well-designed office has the ability to promote productivity, inspire creativity and increase work efficiency. Offices should never feel like a whole bunch of chairs and tables pushed together into a room, because that is the exact results that will produce - a functional and makeshift job.

6. Game room

As mentioned before, we spend more than 8 hours of our day at work. Realistically, it is quite impossible for our brains to be churning out great ideas every second of that time.

By having a game room, employers are saying that they understand that their employees are not machines. It also implies that employees will not be reprimanded for taking short breaks, and for taking a bit of time to destress before going back to work.

7. Extra time off during major holidays – pre-festive half days off

This is one benefit that many companies already practice and we hope that this practice continues to live long!

8. Education / training / courses subsidization

Companies that see tha value in their employees will go out of the way to help improve the caliber and invest in their talent.

Thomas Philip is one such firm that gives their chambering pupils the chance to experience overseas paid internships to allow them to get a feel of working abroad.

9. Free gadgets - mobile phones, laptops, etc.

In today's day and age, it is almost impossible to get work done without technology. Employers that recognise that and provide the latest technology and gadgets to improve their employees' work efficiency are greatly sought after.

ZICOlaw reimburses its staff for mobile phone purchases once every three years. That's a very handy company benefit to have.

10. Medical and health insurance

This is one of the least exciting benefits, but one that is vital that an employer should offer to its employees. Medical cost in Malaysia can be extremely pricey, especially for serious illnesses. Having an employer that takes care of your medical needs should be on the top of your list of benefits to look out for when searching for a job.

11. Flexible work hours

This benefit is becoming increasingly common as the ability to carry out work is no longer confined within the four walls of an office. People are able to get work done almost anywhere, with WiFi and a laptop. It is nice to have the luxury to be able to plan out your work day according to your own schedule and not be bogged down by a fixed 9 - 6 schedule.

It would be so much easier for employees to love their jobs when they enjoy benefits such as these. Employers should work on giving employees reasons to love their jobs, as this ensures loyalty, builds the morale of a company, improves productivity and overall quality of life for both their employees and themselves.

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