Corporate Office Perks Mean More than a Coffee Pot

With an economy on the upturn, today’s business environment is demanding more from both employers and employees.

Employers are focused on employee acquisition and retention as a critical component to success, but the market for qualified and engaged candidates is increasingly tight. 90% of recruiters say the market was candidate-driven in 2015, up from 54% in the second half of 2011. (Recruiter Sentiment Study 2015 2nd Half, MRI Network, 2015).

In today’s information and social media age, job seekers are empowered and look beyond the obvious when considering a change in employment. Both employers and employees want a culture that fosters high functioning, productive, stimulating work environments – leading to high engagement and job satisfaction, which ultimately benefits the customers and clients served.

Because of this shift, more and more large organizations are creating work environments that can improve work-life balance – namely expanded amenities on the corporate campus, or “employee malls”.

Salons, banks and company stores are becoming the norm, but well-established retailers are moving into this space. Here are a few examples:

• Print providers now offer personal print products like business cards, signs and banners, pushing beyond the boundaries of the classic “back-of-the-house” print center
• Shipping providers offer employees packing and shipping services including expanded services like parcel management.
• Other retailers are now setting up shop within corporate campuses to offer convenience items in a professional, well branded environment

These are just a few examples of the support infrastructure organizations are seeking.

Do personal services and expanded campus amenities impact the ability to acquire and retain quality employees? You be the judge.