Remember when health insurance and a 401(k) were considered "competitive benefits"? Those days are gone! Today's companies are racing to offer perks so unusual you might think they're pranking candidates.

Welcome to the era of "Total Rewards," where innovative employers have realized that supporting employees' whole lives builds loyalty that no paycheck alone can buy. These aren't just random perks but strategic weapons in the talent war!

In this article, we're diving into ten outlandishly awesome workplace benefits you've never heard of - perks that might have you updating your resume or wondering if work-life has gotten too good!

Let’s go! 

What are Some Unique Employee Benefit Examples Offered by Top Companies? Examples Included 

Just when you thought you'd heard it all, companies continue to raise the bar with employee perks that sound more like fantasy than reality. These aren't your average benefits—they're the workplace equivalent of finding a golden ticket in your chocolate bar, designed to make employees feel valued in the most creative ways possible.

The "Dream Ball" Lottery

Ever wished your employer would fund your bucket list dreams? 

At UK-based agency Propellernet, they do exactly that! Employees submit their dreams—from African safaris to staging rock operas - into a literal "Dream Ball" lottery machine. When the company hits its targets, one lucky employee gets their dream fully funded by the company.

“I don’t want to always wait to hit a target to make someone’s dream come true, so I’m always looking down the list of dreams and seeing what I can make happen anyway, regardless of the target.” - Jack Hubbard, Founder, Propellernet. 

This ingenious perk creates genuine excitement in the office and gives staff hope that their wildest ambitions might actually come true through their work. Who wouldn't give their all, knowing their dream of writing a novel in Paris or learning to surf in Hawaii could be a business goal away?

Professional House Cleaning Services

Nothing says "we care about your work-life balance" quite like "we'll clean your house for you." US-based staffing company Akraya offers professional house cleaning services to all employees every two weeks. Yes, you read that right—professionals are making your home spotless while you're at work, all on the company's dime.

This practical perk eliminates the weekend chore of cleaning, giving employees genuine free time to relax and recharge. It's particularly brilliant because it addresses a universal pain point: nobody likes coming home from a long day at work to face a sink full of dishes or floors that need vacuuming. 

Akraya recognized that by taking housework off employees' plates, they're reducing stress and creating more personal time, something no amount of office snacks could accomplish.

Paid "Pawternity" Leave

For many pet lovers, bringing home a new furry family member is a big life event. Scottish brewery BrewDog agrees, so they offer employees a full week of paid "pawternity leave" when they adopt a dog. This gives staff dedicated time to help their new pets settle in, handle house training, and form those crucial early bonds.

This benefit aligns with BrewDog's dog-loving brand identity (it's literally in their name!) and dog-friendly workplace culture. 

Founded by two men and a dog, the company allows employees to bring their canine companions to work daily. BrewDog was the first major business to formalize this pet-related benefit, setting a trend that other pet-friendly companies have since followed.

Kindle Plus Monthly Book Allowance

Communication platform Twilio gives every employee a free Amazon Kindle plus $30 monthly to spend on e-books of their choice. This simple but powerful perk encourages continuous learning and personal development without micromanaging what employees read.

The beauty of this benefit is its flexibility—whether you're into professional development books, novels to relax with, or niche subjects that spark your curiosity, the allowance covers it all. Twilio understands that well-read employees bring fresh ideas and perspectives to their work, making this seemingly modest perk a genuine investment in employee satisfaction and innovation.

Full-Body MRI Scans

In a uniquely health-conscious approach to benefits, media startup 1440 covers the cost of full-body MRI scans for employees and their spouses, a perk worth approximately $2,500 per person. These comprehensive scans can detect health issues long before symptoms appear, potentially saving lives through early intervention.

While less flashy than some perks, this benefit provides something priceless: peace of mind about one's health. It shows remarkable investment in employees' long-term well-being beyond typical preventive healthcare offerings. 1440 Media has demonstrated that truly caring for employees means looking after their most fundamental need—their health—in ways that go far beyond standard insurance plans.

"Baby Cash" Bonuses

Facebook (now Meta) acknowledges that babies are expensive with their "Baby Cash" program, a $4,000 bonus given to employees who become new parents, on top of four months of paid parental leave. This cash injection helps with the avalanche of expenses that come with a newborn, from cribs and car seats to diapers and daycare.

This practical benefit addresses a financial pain point for employees at a major life milestone. As part of Facebook's comprehensive family benefits package, which includes fertility treatment coverage and egg freezing, the Baby Cash bonus reflects an understanding that supporting employees through life's biggest transitions helps retain talent during periods when they might otherwise consider leaving the workforce.

"Snow Days" for Hitting the Slopes

Burton snowboard manufacturer doesn't just make equipment for snow enthusiasts, it ensures its employees can use it! The company provides staff with free season ski passes and special "snow days" off when major storms hit, allowing them to hit the freshly powdered slopes instead of their desks.

This perk perfectly aligns with Burton's brand identity and attracts employees who share the company's passion for snow sports. Unlike traditional personal days, these special "snow days" come guilt-free and create shared experiences among colleagues who take advantage together. It's a brilliant example of a company building its culture around authentic passions rather than forced corporate values.

Shipping Breast Milk for Traveling Moms

Zillow offers a unique employee benefit for nursing mothers who need to travel for work—they'll pay to ship breast milk from anywhere back to the employee's baby at home. This removes a significant source of stress for working mothers who would otherwise have to choose between weaning earlier than desired or turning down business travel opportunities.

This thoughtful perk addresses a particular challenge faced by nursing mothers, showing genuine understanding of working parents' needs. While less flashy than some benefits, it has an enormous impact on the employees who need it, demonstrating that Zillow has considered the real-life complications working parents face. It's a perfect example of how the most meaningful benefits often solve genuine problems rather than just offering surface-level perks.

Choose Your Own Compensation Mix

Most companies dictate exactly how your compensation package will be structured, but Netflix takes a radically different approach. Employees can personally decide how much compensation they want in cash versus stock options each year. Want all salary? No problem. Prefer to gamble on Netflix's continued success with all stock options? That's fine too. Any combination in between? You got it!

This unique "choose your own adventure" approach to compensation treats employees like the adults they are, recognizing that people have different financial needs, risk tolerances, and investment strategies. The 10-year stock options are fully vested from day one, and employees keep them even if they leave the company—a level of flexibility practically unheard of in corporate America. It's a perfect embodiment of Netflix's famous "no rules" culture that empowers employees to make decisions that best suit their personal circumstances.

This benefit is exciting because it puts financial control directly in employees' hands and aligns with Netflix's philosophy of treating employees as adults who can make decisions. The fact that the options remain with employees even if they leave the company is especially unusual in the corporate world.

Extended Carer's Leave for Critical Family Situations

When it comes to supporting employees through life's most challenging moments, Google goes above and beyond with its extraordinary carer's leave policy. Parents of premature babies or children facing medical crises can take extended paid leave to be present for their families when it matters most—not just for a few weeks, but for as long as necessary during critical situations.

The impact of this benefit is profoundly human. One Google employee whose baby was born at just 25 weeks of gestation (weighing barely two pounds) was able to spend 112 days in the NICU without worrying about work or income. 

Both parents received the message: "We'll be waiting for you when you're on the other side." This level of support doesn't just help employees navigate crisis—it potentially changes medical outcomes by ensuring vulnerable babies receive their parents' constant presence and care during critical developmental periods. It's a benefit recognizing that some moments in life simply can't be rushed, scheduled, or compromised.

Total Rewards - When Companies Go Beyond Boring Benefits!

Gone are the days of "here's your paycheck and health insurance, be grateful!" Today's smartest companies offer a mind-blowing smorgasbord of perks that make employees' entire lives awesome—not just work hours!

These quirky benefits have become secret weapons in the talent war. "Sure, they offered you more money, but do THEY ship your breast milk home during business trips?" These seemingly wacky perks solve real-life pain points, from house cleaning to NICU support.

The challenge? Most employees have no idea what their total package is worth! That's where modern total rewards platforms like Compport come in. They give employees a transparent dashboard of everything they're getting, from stock options to maternity leave. 

When employees can see their full compensation story, those house-cleaning services and baby cash bonuses aren't just lovely surprises—they're potent reasons to stay loyal to a company that truly gets it!

Explore Compport!

FAQs 

Which company has the best employee benefits? 

Google, Netflix, and Airbnb consistently rank highest for comprehensive benefits that balance work-life needs, financial security, and unique perks addressing real employee pain points.

Which benefits do employees value most?

Flexibility, healthcare, retirement plans, and paid time off remain the most valued benefits, but benefits that solve personal pain points (like childcare or housecleaning) create the strongest loyalty.

What are good staff facilities?

Beyond basics like ergonomic workspaces, the best include wellness areas, quiet rooms, casual collaboration spaces, healthy food options, and amenities that minimize life-admin tasks.