When it comes to attracting fresh, new talent or retaining loyal and dedicated staff – do employers need to look beyond the run of the mill ‘extras?

With candidates very much in the driving seat, many are looking beyond the familiar offerings of flexible working, employee health plan or gym membership; says Peterborough recruitment firm Anne Corder Recruitment.

And it seems that employers are already on board when it comes to embracing out of the box perks; as a recent LinkedIn poll* has shown.

Employers responding to the survey placed ‘giving staff an annual cash bonus on their birthday’ at the top of the present list with over a third (38 per cent) of the vote – closely followed by ‘Dog Days’ and allowing pets to join their owners in the office at 27 per cent per cent

Scheduling in social time during the working day received 19 of the vote, with offering massaging to those working remotely or in their own home favoured by 16 per cent.

Recruitment partner Nel Woolcott said: “The survey of our poll really has made for interesting reading, and it does show that employers are willing to embrace slightly new ways of thinking when it comes to attracting and retaining staff.

“While the tried and test employer pension scheme and/or health plan do continue to have their place, the working landscape that has become the new normal for so many means that flexible working is no longer a real perk, but bringing your canine companion – who has kept you company during months of home working – into the office for one day a week is seen as a real plus.

“Some of the options favoured by those responding are less financially beneficial but are rich in physical and emotional wellbeing gains.”

Nel added: “What we are experiencing is that candidates are in the driving seat right now, and there is a need for employers to offer an attractive, hybrid working strategy.”

*Poll conducted by Anne Corder Recruitment