Motivating Or Overrated? 9 Perks In Work To Look Out For

Are your so-called perks in work too good to be true? That’s because they probably aren’t what you think they are, at least not all the time. There are those that give you long-term merits. But there are also those that are only cool to have at the moment, and are simply and utterly overrated.

How Perks In Work Affect You

Most established companies offer benefits and incentives for several reasons. It’s not just about a competitive salary anymore. Among these reasons include boosting employee morale, as well as improving employee retention. When employees feel that their employers understand and care about their needs beyond money, they’re also more likely to be motivated to perform their responsibilities efficiently.

As “cool” as these benefits appear at first, some of them you need to have a second look at. Are you benefitting from them the way you expect to? Are they actually doing you more harm than good? Should you consider joining a company with incentives that apply to your needs more? Company perks are essential — but don’t let them distract you from seeing the ones that you actually deserve.

Also read: What Makes a Company Great? Discover 5 Best Green Flags

Overrated Job Benefits In Filipino Companies

From material benefits to those that come in the form of services, pay attention to the following perks in work. And evaluate if they’re something you would join or stay with a company for, or are better without for now.

1. Free office meals

From free drinks to buffets, food at the office is always a great way for companies to assure employees that they’ll never go hungry, or thirsty, when working. Some companies even go as far as giving these perks day to night. While others offer them on fixed days during the week. Not just a chance for employees to save on food costs, these perks are also great at building camaraderie.

But, also consider the following: Is the food safe and hygienic? Are there switch outs for vegetarians and those with unique dietary needs? Does the company promote healthy eating through occasional wellness seminars? More importantly, what is your employer’s approach to overall employee well-being beyond the free lunch?

2. Recreational amenities

Similar to food, amenities like an office gym, table and board games, and even weekly yoga classes can be overhyped work benefits. Sure, you don’t have to spend your own money on getting a gym membership or buying your own Monopoly. And they’re certainly fun to have around when you need a quick destressing that won’t require you to step outside the building.

However, enjoying these benefits at your office can sometimes defeat the purpose of having fun or relaxing away from work. Between these perks, is the company also offering mental health breaks and sessions? Do your bosses provide invigorating activities to help improve everyone’s spirit?

3. Overtime (OT) pay

By assuring you that you will get extra pay for doing your duties (and at times those of others) away from your regular shift, some companies could easily turn to overworking you. What good would free food and wellness activities do if you’re not paid fairly for working beyond your supposed hours? Working overtime is a good way to earn extra money — just remember not to rely solely on it to survive.

If you decide to work overtime, see to it that you’re paid fairly according to the Labor Code of the Philippines. Employees are entitled to an OT pay of 25% of their hourly rate for working more than eight hours a day.

4. Business trips

Who would say no to an all-expenses-paid trip to the destination of your dreams? Think about it. Someone’s actually paying you to travel. Something most people can only do by taking some days off of their vacation leaves. In some cases, these may even include complimentary tours. Even then, such trips also come with a few limitations, like not having full control of your itinerary.

Work trips are cool. But are you also getting your well-deserved annual leaves? Does your employer support your plans of traveling for leisure or taking breaks to take care of yourself? Or are they more concerned about you working non-stop?

5. Job promotions

Most, if not all, employees strive for career growth, which often means getting a promotion in a company. After some time in your role, your employer finally recognizes your hard work and sees your potential to do bigger things for them. You can’t be more thrilled. But before you go celebrating, know that these promotions can come highly overrated too.

First, does your salary increase give justice to the work to be done? Besides the opportunity to take on a new role, does your company provide sufficient learning and development to support you career-wise?

6. Remote work

Remote work definitely has its advantages, from letting you work in your space to saving money and energy from going to an office. As more companies realize its endless possibilities, they’ve also become more generous in offering the benefit to their employees, or at least to those who deserve and need them. Nonetheless, the challenges it brings haven’t gone unnoticed.

For one, does your company cover equipment and utility costs? Do they acknowledge your work-life balance? Remote work is also overhyped in that not everyone gets to work in resort-like setups like what you see on social media. It’s definitely not all glitz and glamour!

7. Open workspace

Once upon a time, open office setups got an incredible amount of hype for letting everyone know that there’s more than one way for workplaces to look like. It came to a point that even some companies started making their environment more like a café. Office friends were able to work alongside each other. And everyone just seemed more accessible and approachable.

The downside for others? Office structures fell apart and boundaries were crossed. Also consider, are the location and infrastructure safe at all to work in? Is there proper ventilation and lighting to help you be more productive?

8. Flexible schedule

Many employees can only dream of being able to work at their own pace. Imagine never having to log in and out at one specific time. All the while being able to do things only when you feel like doing them. If you’re one of those people who work better without supervision, this is another brag-worthy perk to have. 

But it’s not always this ideal, with some companies taking advantage of the arrangement to bug employees anytime they want. So take time to reevaluate. Does your employer still give you a realistic workload? Does he or she respect your time and working style?

9. Free phone

Next to a car, a work phone is perhaps one of the most impressive company benefits you can have. Goodbye to mixing your work messages and files with personal ones. But don’t get excited too quickly about this almost universally loved perk, as it also comes with drawbacks you might overlook.

Much like a flexible work schedule, phones can easily be a trade-off for your freedom and privacy. More than a phone, does your company provide things like discounts on select services and products that you can use? If they can afford to give you a phone, are they also open to giving special forms of financial assistance not already offered by the business?

Also read: Employee Bonuses Now Come in Many Varieties

What Are The Benefits Of An Employee You Deserve

While some companies have always used their employee benefits in the right way, there are also those that do the opposite. In the same way, some benefits are actually there to support you in different manners. Then, there are those that only turn up to be overrated, if not even detrimental. Instead, look for:

Fair workload

Does your job description seem realistic enough for your salary? It’s the most fundamental form of benefit of all. That whatever you’ll be doing for the company, you are getting the compensation you deserve using JobStreet’s Explore Salary.

Supportive boss

Does your superior provide you with enough support for you to perform your work efficiently? If you’re just applying for a new job, be sure to do a sufficient background check on your potential boss. That way, you have an idea about his or her skills, as well as work style.

Personalized benefits

Are your benefits or work perks even applicable to you? If not, then you might need to consider asking for something that’s more relevant for you, while still considering the resources of the company.

Work flexibility

In matters of remote work and flexible work schedules, does your company offer them as an option? Or are you doing them against your will because your employer simply wants to ride the hype? Flexibility can do wonders for a great number of employees. But make sure it lives up to its name, not something being imposed.

Continuous growth

Growth is and will never be overrated, especially if it’s something that you and the company can both benefit from. How often does your employer conduct trainings? Are there platforms for employees to upskill? Look out for these, rather than overrated perks in work you most likely won’t find useful in the future.

Seek Better Perks In Work Now

Benefits are convenient, but don’t let them stop you from asking for other forms of help that matter. In place of just free meals, look for talks that can educate you on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Instead of open workspaces, check for work flexibility as well as growth opportunities. In the end, these are what truly matter.

Now, you can also #SEEKBetter ways to make the most of work perks. Get started by going to Explore Careers, which lets you learn more about industries and tools for your next step. First, download the JobStreet app on Google Play or App Store, then create or update your JobStreet profile. For more work tips, visit Career Resources.