5 Coolest Incentives Offered by Major Companies

Incentives are used by many major companies to improve the morale of the workforce and to maintain talented staff. The incentives range from simple commissions on sales up to complete suites of free employee services. Several large companies offer some of the coolest incentives available.

Fun Environment

World-renowned snowboard producer Burton offers employees a number of incentives that make every day fun. The main office has a skate park in the back. Fall and winter bashes allow employees to have fun and mingle. Rewards programs provide free snowboarding or skiing gear and discounts on accessories. Every employee receives a free season pass to the nearby resort. Workers get to test new prototypes when they arrive. The entire environment is relaxed and fun.

Acupuncture and Physical Therapy

Networking equipment giant Cisco Systems provides a number of incentives that help to keep every employee healthy. The company operates a complete fitness center that all workers can use. It is stocked with modern equipment. The center also contains a doctor to provide primary care. Employees have access to a physical therapist to deal with repetitive stress or other injuries. Acupuncture is available in the fitness center to deal with pain or stress.

Health

Well-known consulting companies like O.C. Tanner work with companies to develop incentive programs. 3M has developed an expansive incentive program that gives employees a wide range of benefits. These benefits include childcare services, elder care consulting, stress management counselors and programs for employees who want to stop smoking. The company has a fitness center, a pharmacy and a medical clinic for the convenience of employees and close relatives. 3M even reimburses workers who enroll in weight loss programs.

Free Flights

Southwest Airlines allows employees to take free flights to anywhere the company flies as long as it does not interfere with paying passengers. Employees also receive discounts when purchasing tickets with related airlines and smaller local carriers. These incentives extend beyond the employee to qualified family members like spouses, children and parents. Even friends can get certain discounts. Additionally, the company holds an annual chili cook-off event.

Well-being

Clif Bar provides employees with an on-site daycare center and a large fitness center complete with a climbing wall. Employees can get help from any of the numerous nutritionists, fitness trainers, massage therapists or chiropractors in the center at no charge. The company actually pays employees for just over two hours of time in the fitness center each week. Clif Bar will also pay for entrance fees if employees want to enter races or competitions.

Effective workplace incentives have been shown to increase employee productivity and even health when implemented correctly. Incentives also build trust between workers and employers. The large companies with the coolest incentives are often very successful.