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The Best Employer Perks of 2022: Part I

Published: Jan 26, 2022

 Career Readiness       Changing Jobs       Job Search       Salary & Benefits       
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The year is 2022. We don’t have flying cars or decent hoverboards to shred on, we aren’t instantly teleporting to exotic locales, we’re not part of some larger intergalactic counsel, and I’m still collecting physical media – what gives? Well, rather than lament the future that never came and pine for silly things such as hoverboards (::cry::), let’s take a look at the quality of life improvements that the future has bestowed upon the most exciting aspect of our lives: work! Yes, work. We have truly entered the future of employer perks, and today we are going to talk about some of the best ones to keep an eye out for during your job search. Let’s get started.

The Option to Work Remotely

This is a big one. No more rush hour madness. No more mass transit expenses. You’re not dreaming – some companies are fully embracing the future and have realized that many of their employees can be just as, if not more, productive in the comfort of their own homes. In fact, studies show that remote workers frequently spend more time working, and less time being unproductive. Programs such as Zoom and Slack make communication simple and effective, and allow you to realize your long-time dream of rocking your Air Jordans at work.

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Long ago there were sick days, personal days, and vacation days. Typically, you’d start with two weeks (10 days) of vacation time, and earn more over the course of several years. Some companies would allow you to bank your sick time, or take a check for unused sick time at the end of the year. In short, it was overly complex and unnecessary. Nowadays, many companies are subscribing to the unlimited PTO (paid time off) model. Why is this better? It’s simple – no more waiting five or more years for three weeks’ vacation. The downside? Unlimited PTO can sometimes feel like a cruel test, and might scare people from wanting to take time off. The bottom line? Don’t abuse the system and everything will be smooth sailing.

Retirement Plan Matching

You’ll notice that there are many entries on this list that are geared towards you saving money, and that is no mistake because in 2022, it pays to find a company that will also work for you. Some employers will either partially or fully match your contributions to your 401K, which will make a significant impact on your savings. When it comes to retirement preparation it’s never too early to start, and if you can find a company that will match your contributions, you’ll be on the fast track to those sweet, golden years. Er…rather, you’ll be on the fast track to being prepared for the golden years; no need to rush it.

Four Day Work Week/Summer Fridays

Let’s be honest – the weekends go way too fast, and the work week-to-weekend ratio is not exactly balanced. Luckily, some companies feel the same way and have decided to implement the cleverly named “Four Day Work Week.” According to experts, this paradigm not only increases employee productivity and improves mental health, but it also helps companies save on overhead expenses. Alternatively, you may find that many employers are offering Summer Fridays, which means early dismissal on Fridays during the summer months.

Health Club Reimbursement

Are you a gym rat who loves to sling steel? Then this is your lucky day as many employers offer programs in which you’ll be reimbursed for a portion, or the entirety, of your membership cost. Typically, all you have to do to qualify is maintain steady attendance at your health club. The benefit here is that you’re saving money while getting healthy, which means you’ll live longer to spend all that extra cash on cool stuff.

With that, we’ve just about wrapped up part one of the list. Keep in mind that these perks are not listed in any particular order, and that individual preferences may vary. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what works best for your own personal life circumstances. Stay tuned for part two of the list of the best employer perks of 2022!

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