The Workplace Today

Some benefits are important to almost every employee — paid vacation may be one example — while other benefits — like onsite child care — are essential for some people but not for others.

Some benefits are now the norm, including programs that make it easy for employees to pay for some or all of the cost of public transportation, van pools, or parking with tax-free income.

In many cases, though, the benefits an employer offers are directly related to the organization’s structure and the work environment. For example, it’s the norm in some places to offer or even encourage flexible schedules, including working from home several days a week. In fact, these employers may provide cell phones, laptops, and Internet access to promote this approach.

But if there’s a benefit you care about, it never hurts to ask, especially if you’re willing to trade off — say a slightly lower salary for more free time.

 

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