What Are The Best Company Perks for Millennials?

Millennials: They comprise more than one-third of the U.S. workforce (according to a 2015 Pew Research Center study) making them an even larger group of workers than members of Generation X. And it’s up to HR professionals to recruit, retain and engage this diverse group of 53.5 million employees.

Easy? Not so much. Millennial employees – born between 1980 to 2000 – are typically characterized as emphasizing job satisfaction over wages, seeking variation in their careers, and being quite willing to leave a job if it falls short of their expectations. This means exciting perks go a long way with Millennials.

If the money won’t talk, what are some of the best company perks you can offer your employees to retain and attract them?

Sense of community and a learning environment
Mentorship programs and other educational opportunities, such as peer-led skills workshops, will speak to Millennials’ desire to continue developing and learning in their jobs. Many companies struggle to bridge the gap between younger and older generations. Try setting up learning lunch events or mentoring relationships to encourage office harmony and facilitate more collaboration.

Flexibility with work and tech
This is the generation that grew up with constant access to screens (TV, computers, smartphones) and was among the fastest adopters of the internet. As reported in PWC’s study “Millennials at Work,” Millennials will often use their own technology in the workplace. Companies that pave the way for a multi-device workflow from the office and/or from home are more likely to win points among younger employees who feel held back by rigid or outdated working styles.

Creative perks and benefits packages
When recruiting and retaining Millennial employees, the perks and benefits package can make or break a prospective hire’s decision. US Chamber of Commerce researchers found 63% of surveyed Millennials said the kind and quality of perks and benefits an employer offers will impact their decision to stay with a company. Get creative by sponsoring a company intramural sports team, or speak to Millennials’ characteristic sense of social responsibility by hosting a company blood drive or volunteer day.

Variety in work and play
The US Chamber of Commerce study also noted that Millennials approach and prefer career advancement as more of a “career lattice” – rotating through different roles and responsibilities – rather than embracing the classic hierarchy of a vertical career ladder.

Just as millennials like to have variation in their jobs, they like variation in other parts of their lives too. Eating the same lunch every day gets boring (and maybe a little depressing). This is the generation of Yelpers, Tindr-ers, and food delivery app enthusiasts. By providing a continual rotation of local, fresh lunch options inside the office, you can simultaneously show your company embraces innovation and also help build the community atmosphere that so many of them seek in the workplace.