The days of employees being satisfied with just a paycheck and health insurance are over. If you truly want to improve employee morale, you need to think creatively about the benefits you offer your team.

Have you ever heard about rock stars writing specific requirements into their contracts like fresh underwear, B-12 shots, or m&m's with the brown ones removed? Rock stars enjoy the unique benefits that their fame affords them. Marvelless Mark® tells his clients that if you really want to get your employees to produce rock star results... treat them like rock stars.

Benefits in the Office

There are a number of changes that you can make at work to make your employees happier and more productive. These include:

Create a dedicated "meditation room"

Meditation has been shown to improve focus, reduce stress, improve mood, increase creativity, and even resolve conflict in the workplace. All you need is a small conference room or unoccupied office, a few cushions (and some chairs for those who can't or don't want to, sit on the floor), and some soft music. This creates a space for employees to relax and rejuvenate so they can return to their desks happier and healthier.

Save them time on chores

Work takes up the bulk of our waking hours. What about making it easier for employees to spend their free time having fun? Some companies offer laundry services, errand runners, car details, even a gas truck that comes to the office. Want to really make your employee's day? Gift them a house-cleaning service.

Make them comfortable

Whether you redo the entire office design, or just provide better accommodations for your employees, every bit helps.  While the risks seem rather low, sitting at a desk for 40+ hours a week can actually be quite dangerous.  Employees are in danger of musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and lower back issues. Some companies hire ergonomic specialists to outfit every employee with the proper desk and chair and to adjust their computers to their physical height and habits.

Create "Dress down" days

When you have to wear formal business attire or even Business Casual every day, a day in jeans can mean the world. Consider connecting with a local non-profit and offering a day each month or quarter where your employees can donate $5 or $10 to the charity and come to work comfortably. It's a win-win situation. Even if your employees are front-line and see customers face-to-face, a quick explanation of their relaxed wardrobe will actually make you appear even better to your customers. Who would say no to a company that donates to charity?

Benefits Outside of the Office

Want your employees to be happier on their off hours?

Offer "Mental Health" days

Admit it, there've been days that you just didn't want to come to work. Give employees a few days a year to play hooky without dipping into their sick days or vacation time. They'll come back refreshed and appreciative.

Provide Gym memberships or offer classes at your office

Healthier employees take less sick time, do better work, and are much happier than their less-healthy counterparts. Encourage your team to get exercise and eat healthily - you could even offer consultations with a nutritionist.

Include massages and chiropractic care

Even if you go the extra mile to make sure your employees are comfortable while they work, life has a way of stressing the body. Workouts, chasing after children, or the occasional car accident can leave employees in pain. Offering massages and chiropractic visits will keep your employees happy, healthy, and productive.

No matter what benefits you decide to add to your employee's compensation plans, thinking outside the box and offering rock star incentives will make your employees happy and more willing to go above and beyond for your company and for your customers.

"If I go onstage, I want to give people everything they want and more. I'll wash their car for them on their way out."   -Trent Reznor

Mark Kamp® aka Marvelless Mark® works with organizations who want their teams to achieve immediate rock star results. A Keynote Speaker/Entertainer/Author, Husband, Father, and child of God, his primary message, “Opportunity Rocks®” gives attendees a fresh new perspective on Sales, Marketing, and Employee Performance. Fun and engaging, Mark combines the success secrets of your favorite rock stars with just the right amount of entertainment to transform your employees into business rockstars. Learn more at www.OpportunityRocks.net.