As we approach the end of summer and enter back into the rigor of work and school life, I was struck by the recent coverage on Minneapolis-based advertising agency, Barrie, D’Rozario, Murphy, who gifted their employees 500 paid hours this summer to pursue their personal passions.
Working in the field of recruitment, I serve clients ranging from small business to Fortune 500 in a variety of industries. Moreover, I regularly have conversations regarding strategies for recruitment and retention of top talent with hiring managers, marketing and human resources.
If you want to keep your top talent, of course you should have a competitive salary, a full suite of healthcare coverage and options, real career development and secession planning for every position, and at a minimum, a vacation / PTO package.
But in a world competing for Software Developers, Market Research Analysts, and Engineers, the ability to provide programs that encourage the pursuit of passions and of life outside of work, can only lead to more productive, creative, and engaged employees. (Forbes Top 10 Jobs for 2013)
What impressed me the most about Barrie, D’Rozario, Murphy’s 500 paid hours initiatives, is that it was not just a benefit but a real gift to its hard working employees and clients alike. This gift stems from the recognition that the company’s clients will be better served with a team of creative advertising professionals, who have a richer, fuller life.
I am fully aware that an initiative like BD’M offered to its 18 employees, is not necessarily practical for every size company and industry type, but the idea of encouraging each employee to pursue their passions, to travel, or to volunteer, and is a true competitive advantage. The company that is creative in developing a plan and culture around employee benefits is likely to win and keep the best talent
Our clients and many other companies around the country have adopted some of the following incentives:
- Open work spaces to encourage collaboration and creativity
- Remote Work options with a focus on results and getting the work done
- Personal training, massage therapy, and other health and wellness programs
I would love to hear from other leaders in employee recruitment, retention, and benefits about their creative employee offerings.
Author Name – Stephanie Ranno
Title – Branch Manager
Location – Baltimore, MD
Twitter – @stephranno
Byline – Stephanie has spent the last 7 years in the creative recruiting and staffing industry, building relationships with amazing talent and innovative corporations. At the core she is a renaissance gal, who thrives with too many things on her plate. Hence: student of emerging media trends, manager of an outstanding recruitment team, local actress on the stages of Baltimore, certified group fitness instructor, and wife and mother
