Keeping remote workers engaged and interested in their role is one of the biggest challenges for any company. We all know that employees perform better when they are offered perks that make them feel like valued members of the team.

These perks are often associated with those employees working in offices, however now that many businesses are operating entirely remotely, it is important for HR managers and business leaders to consider what perks they can offer their team members working remotely.

Take a look at some of the affordable perks that businesses can offer to their remote team to keep them engaged, encouraged and loving their job.

Fitness Memberships

Many office-based corporations will offer their employees fitness memberships with an on-site gym in the office, or by partnering with local gyms to drive the price of memberships down. While this is a great option for those working in the office, it doesn’t serve those working remotely.

The good news is that most gyms will have multiple locations, and will be able to cater to corporate memberships that include different areas. This means that your remote workers can still keep up their fitness and benefit from the perk of a gym, while working away from the office.

Personal Development Plans

Personal development plans are a great way to give back to your employees and show that you care about their career growth. A personal development plan should offer time during their working week to assess any personal or career goals and make steps towards achieving them.

For example, you may offer them time during their working week, say on a Friday afternoon, to watch a valuable TedTalk, undertake online training, or catch up on any reading that is supporting their personal and professional growth. All of this can be done remotely and will boost wellbeing and give employees space to grow.

Home Office Stipends

As an employer, you will have a budget for the office space that is no longer being used. Some of this could go towards helping remote workers create an office space that will allow them to be more productive.

If you don’t have a budget for that kind of stuff, or that budget has already been allocated elsewhere, offering a stipend of reimbursement for some of the value of the item can be a great option. You can help employees get access to better prices on home office equipment, and make their lives so much easier by boosting their home office set up.

Stock Options

Stock options are a great way to reward your workers by offering them a small share in the company. Employee stock purchase plans offer a great way to get them more involved in the growth and success of the business, as well as providing them with an investment that could grow significantly.

Stock options shouldn’t just be for office workers. Now that remote working is becoming the norm, businesses should consider making those kinds of offerings to remote employees too.

Retirement Savings And Pension Plans

Remote workers should be entitled to the same pension benefits as other employees, and this may include retirement saving options. You may choose to offer low fee investments for your employees, or perhaps match contributions that they make to their pensions over the years.

Even if you can’t contribute to their pension, offering advice and guidance on the best ways to save for retirement can be invaluable. Helping them find better investments that will set them up in the future can be a mega perk for remote workers, who can sometimes feel that they’re left to fend for themselves without the help of a HR team in the office who are usually on hand to help with these kinds of things.