Redefining Employee Perks: A Strategic Approach for 2025
- ANI Editorial Team
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
Introduction
The definition of a “great job” has evolved. Today’s employees are not just looking for a paycheck—they want support, growth opportunities, flexibility, and a sense of community. For HR leaders, this shift offers a chance to reimagine employee perks as more than just benefits—positioning them as strategic levers for culture, engagement, and retention.
1. Learning & Development (L&D) Benefits
Continuous learning is one of the most valued benefits among knowledge workers. Employees are eager to grow their skills, adapt to evolving roles, and stay competitive in their fields. Offering personalized, AI-enhanced learning solutions is now a key differentiator.
According to LinkedIn's 2023 Workplace Learning Report, 89% of L&D professionals agree that proactively building employee skills helps navigate the future of work.
Examples of L&D Benefits:
AI-curated learning paths
Personalized reskilling and upskilling programs
Skills-based learning tied to internal mobility
Recommended Vendors:
Sana – An AI-first learning platform that centralizes knowledge, delivers personalized experiences, and automates training delivery.
Juno Journey – Offers tailored learning journeys powered by AI, helping employees connect learning with career development and internal job growth.
2. Health and Wellness Programs
Wellness isn’t just a perk—it’s a pillar of workplace sustainability. Today’s top programs address physical, emotional, and mental health needs, recognizing that well-being drives performance.
According to the American Psychological Association, 92% of workers say employer mental health support is important, but only 43% say they receive it.
Examples of Health & Wellness Benefits:
Mental health therapy and coaching
Fitness subscriptions and wellness stipends
Stress reduction and sleep optimization tools
Recommended Vendors:
Lyra Health – Offers clinically validated mental health services, including therapy, coaching, and self-guided resources for employees and their families.
Wellhub – Gives employees access to gyms, meditation apps, and wellness platforms worldwide.
3. Parental Support Benefits
Working parents face complex challenges balancing caregiving and career demands. Forward-thinking companies are responding with benefits that reduce stress and increase retention.
According to Care.com’s 2023 Future of Benefits Report, 65% of working parents would stay longer at a company offering childcare support.
Examples of Parental Benefits:
On-demand babysitting and childcare services
Backup care for emergencies
Virtual pediatric care and parental coaching
Recommended Vendors:
UrbanSitter – Offers vetted, on-demand babysitting via employer-sponsored accounts.
Helpr – Provides flexible backup care for children and elders.
Maven Clinic – Delivers full-spectrum parental support, from fertility to postpartum and pediatric health.
4. Financial Wellness
Financial stability is foundational to employee well-being. Yet most employees report significant money-related stress. Financial wellness programs reduce distraction and increase engagement.
PwC’s 2023 Employee Financial Wellness Survey found that 60% of employees are financially stressed—and 1 in 3 say it impacts productivity.
Examples of Financial Wellness Benefits:
Personalized financial planning
Student debt support and 401(k) education
Budgeting, tax prep, and investment advice
Recommended Vendors:
5. Experiential Access & Community-Building
While remote work has improved flexibility, it has also created a sense of isolation. Experiential perks—like cultural outings and creative workshops—rebuild community, reinforce values, and make work feel meaningful again.
Gallup research shows employees with strong social bonds are 7x more engaged. Shared experiences are a key driver of those bonds.
Examples of Experiential Benefits:
Team outings to local institutions or events
Curated group experiences tied to values like inclusion or creativity
Cultural stipends and memberships
Recommended Vendors:
ANI – Connects corporate teams to New York City's iconic museums, theaters, and sporting events with curated, inclusive access.
Marco Experiences – Offers high-quality, B2B team-building and cultural experiences—from chef-led tastings to art tours and DIY workshops.
6. Flexible Work Options
The demand for flexibility—where, when, and how people work—is no longer a trend; it's a baseline expectation. Offering hybrid models and asynchronous schedules supports both performance and well-being.
McKinsey’s 2023 report found 87% of employees offered flexibility take advantage of it—and 75% say it improves their work-life balance.
Examples of Flexible Work Benefits:
Work-from-anywhere policies
Compressed workweeks or flexible hours
Coworking stipends and collaboration tools
Recommended Vendors:
Modern Employee Perks Overview
Perk Category | What It Offers | Why It Matters | Example Vendors |
Learning & Development | Personalized learning journeys, upskilling, internal mobility | Builds loyalty, adaptability, and future-readiness | Sana, Juno Journey |
Health & Wellness | Therapy, coaching, fitness access, mental health support | Reduces burnout and absenteeism | Lyra Health, Wellhub |
Parental Support | Childcare, backup care, family coaching | Supports retention and DEI among caregivers | UrbanSitter, Helpr, Maven Clinic |
Financial Wellness | Financial planning, debt tools, equity advice | Improves productivity and long-term loyalty | Northstar, LearnLux |
Experiential Access & Community | Museum visits, shows, cultural events, team bonding | Strengthens culture, builds belonging | ANI, Marco Experiences |
Flexible Work Options | Hybrid models, coworking, global hiring | Boosts morale, widens talent pool | Gable, Oyster |
Employee Perks Strategy Audit Checklist
Audit Area | Key Question to Ask | Action if Answer is No |
Learning & Development | Are we offering modern, personalized learning tools? | Explore platforms like Sana or Juno Journey. |
Health & Wellness | Do we provide proactive mental and physical health support? | Evaluate partners like Lyra Health and Wellhub. |
Parental Support | Are caregivers supported with practical, accessible services? | Consider UrbanSitter, Helpr, or Maven Clinic. |
Financial Wellness | Can employees easily access financial guidance and planning tools? | Implement support with Northstar or LearnLux. |
Experiential & Community-Building | Are we offering inclusive, values-aligned shared experiences? | Partner with ANI or Marco Experiences for meaningful team engagement. |
Flexible Work Options | Do employees have the autonomy to design their work schedules or locations? | Use tools like Gable or Oyster to formalize hybrid flexibility. |
Final Thought
Modern perks are no longer secondary; they're strategic levers that influence culture, productivity, and retention. Whether it’s AI-powered learning, accessible mental health care, or inclusive cultural experiences, your perks should reflect what your company values and what your people need.
And with partners like ANI, you can make those values visible—through shared moments, cultural access, and community.
Want to bring your company values to life?
Let ANI help. We partner with NYC’s most iconic museums, theaters, and sports organizations to help you connect your people and your culture more meaningfully.
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