In today's working world, employee benefits play a decisive role in attracting and retaining top talent. A good salary alone is no longer enough.
Especially in the era of digitalisation, many employees expect extra perks that make daily work easier and improve work-life balance. Ideas for digital benefits that make the most of technology are particularly in demand.
But which benefits are the best? And how can you excite your team with innovative ideas? Let's take a look at some options.
Digital employee benefits: the best ideas
Digitalisation brings new working models like home office and remote work, plus many opportunities to raise employee satisfaction through digital perks.
Mobile devices as an employee benefit
One option is both a benefit itself and the technical platform for further digital benefits: the device.
Providing a (good!) mobile company device is a great idea for that reason alone. Without a performant device, digital benefits are either ineffective or just no fun. So no cheap China tablet, but a proper business tablet.
If buying feels too expensive: you don't have to buy — you can rent tablets, for instance from us. That's what Henkel did — read the case.
Device choice as a perk: Choose Your Own Device (CYOD)
Being able to pick your (privately usable) company device is a highly popular perk. Android fans don't enjoy working with iOS (and vice versa).
Many are even willing to co-pay for a better model — still cheaper than buying the newest iPhone themselves.
Everphone combines both aspects with "Choose Your Own Device". The company funds a standard device or a base amount; anyone wanting more performance tops up. Devices come with a great service package: if a device breaks, a replacement is shipped immediately at no extra cost. Learn more about Choose Your Own Device.
Private use is essential for a real perk
For a phone or tablet to work as a benefit, private use has to be allowed. A restricted company device with limited personal use isn't attractive.
Technical prerequisites secure GDPR compliance and corporate data (NIS2). Using MDM software is essential — set up right, smartphone and tablet management becomes easy.
We also recommend a Mobile Threat Defense solution.
Ideas for digital employee benefits
Here are some ideas you could adopt:
Health apps and fitness trackers
Employee health is central, and digital solutions can promote wellbeing. Health apps offer training programmes, nutrition tips and relaxation exercises. Fitness trackers count steps, monitor sleep or measure heart rate, motivating people to move more and live healthier.
Companies can either offer a curated selection of apps or fund premium subscriptions. Examples include workout and cardio apps, yoga apps, activity trackers, allergy apps, migraine apps, nutrition apps and even quit-smoking apps.
Mindfulness apps
Workplace stress can be reduced through mindfulness and meditation. Mindfulness apps offer guided meditations, breathing exercises and stress-management tips, including sleep optimisation. Meditation and sleep apps help employees care for their mental health and boost productivity. Companies can grant premium access or run regular mindfulness workshops.
Virtual training and e-learning
Development is a key factor for satisfaction and retention. Companies increasingly offer flexible e-learning options — online courses, webinars, language apps and e-learning platforms — that employees can use independently. Partnerships with education platforms or in-house learning portals ease access to quality training.
Remote-work tools
Working from home smoothly needs the right digital tools — Slack, Microsoft Teams or Zoom for communication and collaboration. They also strengthen team spirit despite physical distance. As a side benefit they raise overall digital maturity — time tracking, holiday requests and expense reports go digital, too.
Digital vouchers and rewards (subsidised apps)
Another creative digital benefit: vouchers for online shops, streaming services or food delivery. Employees redeem them flexibly as a personal thank-you. Simple to run and a strong motivator — it shows the company values employees' private life, too.
Conclusion: smartphone perks and digital benefits
Digital employee benefits show appreciation and are a key factor in the race for the best talent. Innovative, flexible perks boost attractiveness and drive satisfaction and loyalty.
a high-quality, privately usable company device,
employee choice in the device (CYOD),
digital fitness and health programmes, e-learning, remote-work options and subsidised apps.