6 job perks that actually inspire employee happiness

6 job perks that actually inspire employee happiness6 job perks that actually inspire employee happinessConsider the last time you made the tough choice between two job offers, or considered an invitation to join a different company. In addition to the environment, the salary you negotiated for, the title you pursued and the convenience of the headquarters, workplace perks play a factor in your decision-making. Even if you snagged the ideal next step toward your career goals, having the right everything on paper doesnt always translate into a happy, healthy, and inspiring place to spend those long hours between 9 and 5 (or 6 or 7).For most employees, the largest contributing factor to their overall sense of contentment at the amtsstube is directly tied to small, yet significant values the company offers and upholds. From offering unlimited vacation days to providing incentives to recognize the contributions of co-workers, these are the six top perks that inspire workers to feel happy to come to work every day.The ability to work from anywherbeie in the worldAs millennials begin to put their stake in the workforce, demanding swift and sometimes dramatic shifts in the outdated attitude toward career growth, the digital nomadic life continues to grow in popularity.Even if you have been burning the midnight oil in your industry for a decade already, easy access to internet, co-working spaces and high-speed WiFi on nearly every continent makes the temptation to roam (without paying roaming fees) that much more alluring.Timothy Welch, a chief ordnungsprinzips engineer for PowerDMS,is currently traveling the world for a year via Remote Year, an initiative that selects dozens of people from around the world to travel together for 12 months while they maintain virtual ties to their jobs back home. He praised his employer for being willing to accommodate his - and other colleagues - requests to telecommute.The opportunity to work from home whenever you want, and, like me, work abroad for several months or a year is a valued perk. We usually have up to three people people taking advantage of this opportunity at any given time, Welch said.And hey, even if you dont want to pack up your laptop bag for a multi-month adventure, Welch adds that Power DMS also gives you the chance to extend a one to two week vacation youre taking by adding on some remote-work options. So you can finish up that trek through Australia and New Zealand with a week-long working session at a beachside Internet cafe in Bali without taking any paid time off.Similarly, James ONeill, the content director for LegalNature, is able to work remotely in Barcelona while the rest of his team is stationed in Los Angeles. ONeill says the fluidity of their home office policy has improved his work ethic, making him more productive and creative from across the ocean. He attributes this improvement to spending more time focused on the task at hand in a quiet space, instead of battling a daily commute.I do not suffer the stress and fatigue that comes with the daily grind into the office, he says.A focus on wohlbefindenThe Googles, Facebooks and trendy start-ups of the world are all hopping on the wellness bandwagon that doesnt just seek to foster a home for your computer, backpack and coffee mug, but one that capitalizes on the life aspect of a work/life balance.Since so many employees at these organizations are passionate about their work, they may clock more overtime, making time constraints to finish everyday tasks that much more difficult. To combat this fatigue, more employers are seeking ways to bring attention to health to their offices.Jessica Herbst, the senior content marketing manager at Wpromote, looks forward to her twice-a-week massage breaks that are amazing after a tough meeting or combatting weird pains from sitting in front of two screens during the day.When youre busy trying to meet deadlines, file reports and build presentations, all on top of making y our best friends birthday party and attempting to spend quality time with your partner, your exercise routine may chose to the wayside.Thats why Liz Cherry, the marketing director for Motley Fool enjoys on-site fitness classes that keep her heart racing and her mind sharp. From indoor cycling to yoga and bootcamps, she uses exercise time during her lunch break to work up a sweat and be prepared for the next meeting, pitch or conference call.Access to a shipping centerDepending on what zip code you scribble on the back of envelopes, and whether or not you live in a home, apartment or condo complex, having packages shipped can be a real nightmare. When you add in certain restrictions around required signatures or dont have a doorman to take your package in until you get home, the very thought of going to a post office or ordering a must-have online can raise your anxiety levels.Though a seemingly tiny perk, Cherry says companies that let their employees use their work address as their shipping are a boon - particularly those that offer an in-house station to purchase postage and more.ur amazing office services team graciously accepts any package you need to have delivered, and then also allows employees to easily manage our own shipping and returns from the office. We even have our own area set up with packing tape, envelopes, and a box to leave money to cover shipping costs, she explains. In the days of Amazon Prime, free shipping and frequent returns, the ability to bypass the post office is just one of the many wonderful reasons I appreciate my employer.The opportunity to recognize co-workersEven if youre more of a solo worker than a team player, working in nearly any job requires frequent communication and interaction with other employees. As you collaborate and begin to understand and utilize each others strengths and intelligences, its important to take a moment to recognize your co-workers for all they bring to your daily working routine.Or ya know, give them a high-five - the nickname for internal highlights at Small Girls PR.Each Monday, we read high fives calling out specific peoples achievements from the week,explains associate account executive, Zoe Richards. Theyre anonymously submitted from peoples teammates and its an awesome opportunity to support each other and acknowledge everyones hard work.Its kind of like a professional Snap Cup, she explains.Many companies adopt this dedication toward back-patting, as Motley Fool staffer Amy Dykstra brags about the companysYouEarnedIt platform. Through this, you can give kudos to fellow employees which collect as points that can be redeemed toward gift cards or prizes.Employees benefit from feeling appreciated for their specific work and the company benefits from viewing a newsfeed of pertinent well-wishes every day. I have learned a ton about what my fellow employees are working on - and excelling at by reading this feed,Dykstra says. When things are busy, seeing recognition come in that someone appreciated my contribution means the world to me and invigorates me to continue working hard.Helping fellow employees and others, tooWhen challenging or upsetting events befall your co-workers, managers or direct-reports, it can be difficult to know the right course of action to take. Even if youre friendly with those you work with, when theres a death in their family, you may feel as if youre skating a fine line between personal and professional.Thats why Melissa Bond, a management consulting analyst for Accenture appreciates a company policy allowing her to donate her unused paid time off to her colleagues.if someone has a family emergency and needs to take a lot of time off, but they run out of PTO hours, anyone else in the company can donate their hours to the person in need, she explains.Apart from those you share long hours with Monday through Friday, employees also value the chance to give back to charities that pull at their heart - and purse - strings. A s Chelsea Long, a customer support specialist for Adobe explains, she values her company incentive to volunteer and give monetarily back to a non-profit at the same time. Long says for every 10 hours you volunteer, you get a $250 grant to donate to the charity of your liking.You can volunteer anywhere, for anything, but Adobe also sets up many different volunteer activities, ranging from serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, organizing donations at Materials for The Arts, preparing meals for the homeless at The New York City Rescue Mission, or even participating in specialized pro-bono projects for local charities where you can share some of your professional skills, Long says. To date, shes been able to contribute more than $2,000 to various charities.Unlimited vacation daysWhile in European countries, employees taking holidays is an expected part of working culture, the United States is arriving late to the flexibility game with more and more start-ups leaning toward unlimi ted instead of the standard two weeks of paid time off.Most organizations tread lightly on these policies, hoping employees will honor the system without taking advantage of it, but as studies have shown, the more time you are allowed to take off, the smarter you will be about jet setting away from the office. For Fiona Farley, account supervisor at Evolve MKD, having the endless opportunity to get away helps her remain focused and inspired at work. Management knows that its important to take time off, whether its to unwind, travel or just have a staycation. I never feel guilty or nervous about taking time off, which definitely relieves stress, she adds.6 job perks that actually inspire employee happinessConsider the last time you made the tough choice between two job offers or considered an invitation to join a different company. In addition to the environment, the salary you negotiated for, the title you pursued and the convenience of the headquarters, workplace perks play a facto r in your decision-making. Even if you snagged the ideal next step toward your career goals, having the right everything on paper doesnt always translate into a happy, healthy, and inspiring place to spend those long hours between 9 and 5 (or 6 or 7).For most employees, the largest contributing factor to their overall sense of contentment at the office is directly tied to small, yet significant values the company offers and upholds. From offering unlimited vacation days to providing incentives to recognize the contributions of co-workers, these are the six top perks that inspire workers to feel happy to come to work every day.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe ability to work from anywhere in the worldAs Millennials begin to put their stake in the workforce, demanding swift and sometimes dramatic shifts in the outdated attitude toward career growth, the digital nomadic life co ntinues to grow in popularity.Even if you have been burning the midnight oil in your industry for a decade already, easy access to internet, co-working spaces and high-speed WiFi on nearly every continent makes the temptation to roam (without paying roaming fees) that much more alluring.Timothy Welch, a chief systems engineer for PowerDMS,is currently traveling the world for a year via Remote Year, an initiative that selects dozens of people from around the world to travel together for 12 months while they maintain virtual ties to their jobs back home. He praised his employer for being willing to accommodate his - and other colleagues - requests to telecommute.The opportunity to work from home whenever you want, and, like me, work abroad for several months or a year is a valued perk. We usually have up to three people taking advantage of this opportunity at any given time, Welch said.And hey, even if you dont want to pack up your laptop bag for a multi-month adventure, Welch adds that Power DMS also gives you the chance to extend a one to two-week vacation youre taking by adding on some remote-work options. So you can finish up that trek through Australia and New Zealand with a week-long working session at a beachside Internet cafe in Bali without taking any paid time off.Similarly, James ONeill, the content director for LegalNature, is able to work remotely in Barcelona while the rest of his team is stationed in Los Angeles. ONeill says the fluidity of their home office policy has improved his work ethic, making him more productive and creative from across the ocean. He attributes this improvement to spending more time focused on the task at hand in a quiet space, instead of battling a daily commute.I do not suffer the stress and fatigue that comes with the daily grind into the office, he says.A focus on wellnessThe Googles, Facebooks and trendy start-ups of the world are all hopping on the wellness bandwagon that doesnt just seek to foster a home for your computer, backpack and coffee mug, but one that capitalizes on the life aspect of a work/life balance.Since so many employees at these organizations are passionate about their work, they may clock more overtime, making time constraints to finish everyday tasks that much more difficult. To combat this fatigue, more employers are seeking ways to bring attention to health to their offices.Jessica Herbst, the senior content marketing manager at Wpromote, looks forward to her twice-a-week massage breaks that are amazing after a tough meeting or combatting weird pains from sitting in front of two screens during the day.When youre busy trying to meet deadlines, file reports and build presentations, all on top of making your best friends birthday party and attempting to spend quality time with your partner, your exercise routine may fall to the wayside.Thats why Liz Cherry, the marketing director for Motley Fool enjoys on-site fitness classes that keep her heart racing and her mind sharp. F rom indoor cycling to yoga and boot camps, she uses exercise time during her lunch break to work up a sweat and be prepared for the next meeting, pitch or conference call.Access to a shipping centerDepending on what zip code you scribble on the back of envelopes, and whether or not you live in a home, apartment or condo complex, having packages shipped can be a real nightmare. When you add in certain restrictions around required signatures or dont have a doorman to take your package in until you get home, the very thought of going to a post office or ordering a must-have online can raise your anxiety levels.Though a seemingly tiny perk, Cherry says companies that let their employees use their work address as their shipping are a boon - particularly those that offer an in-house station to purchase postage and more.Our amazing office services team graciously accepts any package you need to have delivered, and then also allows employees to easily manage our own shipping and returns fr om the office. We even have our own area set up with packing tape, envelopes, and a box to leave money to cover shipping costs, she explains. In the days of Amazon Prime, free shipping and frequent returns, the ability to bypass the post office is just one of the many wonderful reasons I appreciate my employer.The opportunity to recognize co-workersEven if youre more of a solo worker than a team player, working in nearly any job requires frequent communication and interaction with other employees. As you collaborate and begin to understand and utilize each others strengths and intelligences, its important to take a moment to recognize your co-workers for all they bring to your daily working routine.Or ya know, give them a high-five - the nickname for internal highlights at Small Girls PR.Each Monday, we read high fives calling out specific peoples achievements from the week,explains associate account executive, Zoe Richards. Theyre anonymously submitted from peoples teammates and i ts an awesome opportunity to support each other and acknowledge everyones hard work.Its kind of like a professional Snap Cup, she explains.Many companies adopt this dedication toward back-patting, as Motley Fool staffer Amy Dykstra brags about the companysYouEarnedIt platform. Through this, you can give kudos to fellow employees which collect as points that can be redeemed toward gift cards or prizes.Employees benefit from feeling appreciated for their specific work and the company benefits from viewing a newsfeed of pertinent well-wishes every day. I have learned a ton about what my fellow employees are working on - and excelling at by reading this feed, Dykstra says. When things are busy, seeing recognition come in that someone appreciated my contribution means the world to me and invigorates me to continue working hard.Helping fellow employees and others, tooWhen challenging or upsetting events befall your co-workers, managers or direct-reports, it can be difficult to know the right course of action to take. Even if youre friendly with those you work with, when theres a death in their family, you may feel as if youre skating a fine line between personal and professional.Thats why Melissa Bond, a management consulting analyst for Accenture appreciates a company policy allowing her to donate her unused paid time off to her colleagues.if someone has a family emergency and needs to take a lot of time off, but they run out of PTO hours, anyone else in the company can donate their hours to the person in need, she explains.Apart from those you share long hours with Monday through Friday, employees also value the chance to give back to charities that pull at their heart - and purse - strings. As Chelsea Long, a customer support specialist for Adobe explains, she values her company incentive to volunteer and give monetarily back to a non-profit at the same time. Long says for every 10 hours you volunteer, you get a $250 grant to donate to the charity of your lik ing.You can volunteer anywhere, for anything, but Adobe also sets up many different volunteer activities, ranging from serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, organizing donations at Materials for The Arts, preparing meals for the homeless at The New York City Rescue Mission, or even participating in specialized pro-bono projects for local charities where you can share some of your professional skills, Long says. To date, shes been able to contribute more than $2,000 to various charities.Unlimited vacation daysWhile in European countries, employees taking holidays is an expected part of working culture, the United States is arriving late to the flexibility game with more and more start-ups leaning toward unlimited instead of the standard two weeks of paid time off.Most organizations tread lightly on these policies, hoping employees will honor the system without taking advantage of it, but as studies have shown, the more time you are allowed to take off, the smarter you will be about jet setting away from the office. For Fiona Farley, account supervisor at Evolve MKD, having the endless opportunity to get away helps her remain focused and inspired at work. Management knows that its important to take time off, whether its to unwind, travel or just have a staycation. I never feel guilty or nervous about taking time off, which definitely relieves stress, she adds.This article was first published on September 18, 2017.

Finding the Right Job During Addiction Recovery

Finding the Right Job During Addiction RecoveryFinding the Right Job During Addiction RecoveryFinding employment after rehab is a reliable measure of progress in recovery and a good indicator of long-term success in sobriety. Getting back in the job market following drug or alcohol treatment is commendable- think of it as a sign of how far youve come in kicking an addiction. Finding the right job during addiction recovery can keep you on the best path for improved health and wellness.Not just any job will do, however. Youll need to find the right kind of role, one that can accommodate a healthy recovery lifestyle. This often excludes the stereotypical 9-to-5 office position, which usually require long hours and can have strict regulations about clocking in and out.Instead, consider remote, flexible, and part-time jobs that allow you to balance work with the daily prioritization of your health. Flexible positions will offer mora time for regular exercise, relationships with family and friends, 12-step beistand groups, and other forms of self-care (such as individual therapy, meditation, and service opportunities).Here are some suggestions for finding a job during addiction recovery that can help you focus on your health. The good news is that the options are practically endlessFlexible Options for Your RecoveryFlexible jobs give employees opportunities to work outside of the typical 9-to-5 schedule. Part-time jobs usually refer to a weekly commitment of 30 hours or less. Telecommuting or remote jobs allow employees to work from home some or all the time. The most fortunate job seekers in recovery are those who find a job they love that combines two or more of unterstellung work benefits.Flexible Positions That Benefit Your Recovery and Vice VersaTheres arguably no better time in history to be successfully employed and successfully in recovery. Todays flexible, part-time, and telecommuting options are virtually inexhaustible.The best part is many of these flexibl e jobs dont just support your recovery they also benefit from your recovery and the experience youve gained as the result of overcoming an addiction. This is an important point that needs emphasis being in recovery is itself a positive job qualification for many prospective employers and in many fields of employment. Some examples of these jobs includeHealth and wellness trainers and coaches Nutritionists, yoga instructors, Reiki practitioners, and personal trainers are just some examples of these more flexible occupations that support recovery and are better informed by recovery.Teachers Teachers can enjoy summers off and (depending on the school environment) an earlier end to the workday. Some teaching and tutoring opportunities can even be remote. Teachers in recovery also tend to have more compassion and wisdom when working with problem students or those who may be at higher risk of substance abuse.Therapists and addiction counselors Social workers, psychologists, recovery coach es, interventionists, addiction counselors, and employment coaches can often make their own schedule and can draw on their own recovery to better help others.After you are well under way in your recovery, you may choose to get additional training to become a counselor.Not particularly drawn to any of these occupations? There are numerous other jobs during addiction recovery that allow for a flexible schedule and remote positions, includingAccounting and bookkeepingAdministrativeSocial media and content managementFashion consulting and personal shoppingInterior designMortgage and real estateSelf-employment in a skill or hobby you enjoyCopywriting and editingConsider your personal strengths and the type of work that youre instinctually drawn to. Take your time during the application and interview process- make sure youre considering whether the position is the right fit for you, not just the other way around. Remember that your work life after rehab can be better and more rewarding th an ever, thanks to your recovery.Anna Ciulla is the vice president of clinical and medical services at Beach House Center for Recovery. Shes responsible for designing, implementing, and supervising the delivery of the latest therapies for substance use disorders. Anna believes that finding the right job can help clients successfully achieve long-term recovery.Start Your Job Search by Browsing Open Positions

New Rules for Branding on the Job Search

New Rules for Branding on the Job SearchNew Rules for Branding on the Job SearchFocus on communicating your value in a clear and concise manner.Reposted with permission from Personal Branding BlogAdvice about developing a personal brand is widely accepted because it is effective. But, in todays economy, there are new rules for personal branding, especially on the job search.Traditionally, your personal brand is the absolute best of yourself. It is purposefully unique and encompasses the kind of problems you solve, the way that you get things done, the situations that you excel in and the types of organizations you build. It is your values and your personality its the very best of you.Yet today, in the job search, the brand that you worked so hard to develop just doesnt cut it any more.Your personal brand needs a few new rules.Rule 1 Your brand is not about you. As counterintuitive as that sounds, your brand is not about you. Rather, it is about the value you deliver externally. Its a ll about your audience their challenges, their needs, their dreams and how you can get them there.Rule 2 Your brand is different for every opportunity. In the same way that you adapt to different situations, your brand needs change for every opportunity. It will emphasize different strengths, experiences and capabilities based on your audience (and their challenges, needs and dreams).Rule 3 You need to be their Super Hero. Feel free to laugh at the name, but lets be clear, the goal of your personal brand is convey a direct and concise story about how you will be the organizations Super Hero. That is, how you will defeat their challenges and enact the change that they are desperate to make.Rule 4 The burden is on you. Todays economy combined with the extreme time pressure hiring managers feel means that you, the job seeker, have to do all the heavy lifting. It is not up to them to put the pieces of the puzzle together and see your value, rather it is up to you to identify and communi cate it in a clear and concise manner.What does this look like in the real world?Becoming an organizations Super Hero isnt as hard at it sounds. The first step is to self-reflect and consciously craft your traditional personal brand. Youll need to nurture a strong self-awareness of how you contribute to an organization, as well as a comprehensive understanding of your flaws and challenges.Then, you need to forget about all of that Go ahead, let it go.Now that youve let go, start thinking about a specific opportunity that you are interested in. Look at it from the vantage point of the company. What are their challenges? What is their ideal candidate profile? The skills, the characteristics, the experience? To be most effective, literally write out a description of their perfect candidate by cross referencing the job description, the company website, their mission statement, press titelblattage and any connections you have to the organization that can give you insight.Finally, once yo u have a clear picture of their ideal candidate, take your personal brand and pour it into the mold of their ideal candidate. Focus on what they want in a candidate (not necessarily what you think is most impressive about you) and adapt your strengths and experience to accordingly.Distill this down to a single sentence and youve reached your goal - Your Super Hero Story. This sentence, your Super Hero Story, is your personal brand. It is a litmus test for everything about your application. Does everything on your resume support your Super Hero Story? Is your cover letter an expansion of your Super Hero Story? Does the outfit you wear to the interview reflect your Super Hero Story? It is literally your job search compass. In the job search, and in life, you simply cant afford to be focused on yourself. You need to relate your personal brand to the world, and to every opportunity you are interested in. The burden is on you. How will you be an organizations super hero?