Remote Perks Packages: What’s in Them and Should You Offer One?

Perhaps you’ve taken what was thrown your way this past year and decided to keep your team remote — some really love it! Maybe we’ve all just become more aware of the challenges that working remotely can provide after being abruptly thrust into it. Regardless, it never hurts to reassess your perks packages to make sure you’re offering your employees everything you can to make work as productive and enjoyable as possible.

Whether you’ve had remote perks in place for some time and are ready to update. Maybe this is a whole new idea for you and you’re not sure where to start.

Wherever you’re at, here’s a quick rundown of remote perks packages, what they often include, and some thoughts on whether or not they’re right for you.

What is a remote perks package?

Just like the perks in-office employees may enjoy — from perks like free snacks and coffee to health and wellness benefits — remote perks packages are much the same. You can just tailor them for use and enjoyment by remote workers.

There are a couple of different ways you can approach them. First, you can structure your remote perks package in a way that mirrors your in-office perks as much as possible. If the office gets free lunches on Friday, let remote workers in on it too by covering a meal delivery for them. If you have in-office social events again in the future, find a way to Zoom in your remote colleagues if possible.

The other approach is to construct a remote perks package that is unique to the needs of your dispersed team. Maybe free lunch isn’t that important to them, and they would much rather have a stipend for making their home office as comfortable and productive as possible.

What do remote perks packages usually include?

Many remote perks packages include workstation support. From supplying more than just the basics (think another monitor if that helps!) to reimbursing home office expenses like a stronger internet connection, most remote workers are happy to have help with their working environment just like in-office workers are.

From supplying more than just the basics (think another monitor if that helps!) to reimbursing home office expenses like a stronger internet connection, most remote workers are happy to have help with their working environment just like in-office workers are.

Many remote workers have been balancing their work with childcare these days. In fact, some workers opt for remote arrangements so that they can accommodate other demands on their time more adequately. Offering childcare benefits, from access to online child education resources to a stipend for babysitting, is a way that you can help meet the needs of your remote workers. The same goes for in-home caregiving services and the like.

Next, many businesses offer to help cover some, if not all, of the costs of a coworking space. Just because someone is working remotely doesn’t mean they have to work alone, especially if they don’t want to. Ensuring consistent trips to the company site can also help, especially with keeping in-office and remote teams connected.

Finally, coffee or meal subscriptions are a popular component of remote perks packages as well. Especially if in-office workers get access to those things, you can consider covering coffee or meal subscription or delivery services for your at-home employees so that they can experience some of the in-office enjoyment from afar.

Should I be offering a remote perks package?

Like all things small business, it’s really up to what your employees need. Not quite sure about what that might be? Surveys can go a long way as can a couple of conversations with remote work stakeholders at your company.

One thing to consider while you decide is the role that remote work plays at your company. Is this just a temporary thing while the pandemic plays out? If so, investing in a long-term remote perks package might not be right for you. On the other hand, if remote work is going to stay at your small business, thinking about how you can make perks accessible for everyone is likely something your employees will benefit from you considering!

Check out our People Ops Podcast episode “Setting up Managers for Success in a Remote-Friendly Future.”