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Featured Post: At These 5 Companies, Interns Never Fetch Coffee

Built In Chicago sat down with companies in the area in search of internships that offer an experience with a real impact. To do so, former interns and full-time employees who oversee the programs shared details on what their internships entail.

PerkSpot HR Specialist, Lexi Vassallo, shared what our internship program looks like, discussed some of the coolest projects interns worked on, and walked through how our internship has helped interns grow professionally and kickstart their careers.

Lexi shared, “Our program is designed to give our interns real-life working experience and tools that they can utilize in their future careers.”

View the full article here.

Are you interested in an internship with PerkSpot in the future? Stay tuned for our open positions on our careers page and see highlights from last year’s program. Check out our other open roles in the meantime!

The Importance of Recognizing Women’s History Month

Did you know that the windshield wiper, disposable diapers, and the dishwasher were all invented by women? Women’s History Month, celebrated annually in March, is a month to recognize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. But why is this so important? We’re taking a closer look. 

Women have been fighting for equality throughout history. 

In 1908, over 15,000 fearless women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights. But that wasn’t the beginning of the struggle, it had been going on for decades prior. Even then, it wasn’t until the 19th Amendment in 1920 that women were finally granted the right to vote in the United States. No matter the problem at hand, women are relentless and will fight for their rights! 

Women have invented some of life’s greatest tools.  

Some of our everyday items that we rely on, were invented by innovative women. In 1812, Tabitha Babbitt invented the circular saw after noticing people were having trouble cutting wood with a pit saw. The life raft? Invented by Maria Beasly in 1882. Coffee filter? You can thank Melitta Benz for that next time you brew a batch. 

Inequality is still very present. 

Unfortunately, inequality still exists both in the United States and worldwide. According to a study in 2020, it would take an extra 42 days of work for women to earn what men did. The factors that contribute are educational attainment gaps, occupational segregation, and overall work experience. Women’s History Month is a great opportunity to join the charge and fight for equality! 

It’s an opportunity to celebrate the women in your company. 

There’s plenty of ways to celebrate this month, whether it’s observing a day off work, taking your co-workers out to lunch, or a little gift to say thank you. Take time to reflect and encourage engagement and collective action in advancing women’s equality. Everyone, everywhere can play a part. 

You can show support by encouraging shopping women-owned and founded businesses. 

What better way to support women directly than encouraging shopping and supporting businesses with fierce women leaders? There’s thousands of ways both nationally and in your local community that you can take advantage of. Encourage your employees by providing them with a list of your favorites! Not only that, but offer your employees savings while shopping by providing access to an employee discount program

Remember, advocating for women should be done everyday, not just this month. There’s always time to show support and celebrate the women in your life. Learn more about what HR professionals can learn from powerful women today! 

PerkSpot Made The List: Built In’s Best Places To Work Chicago

Each year, Built In’s Best Places to Work Awards Program gives recognition to companies who offer the best total rewards and compensation packages among their peers. With a mission to inspire others to love where they work, our dedication to employee satisfaction starts right here. 

With a name like PerkSpot, it goes without saying that perks and benefits are a big deal to us. While not the full list, here’s a rundown of some of the highlights:

Comprehensive Insurance Benefits

Your health and wellness is our top priority. We offer a broad range of options for health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield. We also have outstanding dental and vision insurance. All insurance benefits are effective on your first day of employment. In addition, we also offer 100% employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.

Paid Time Off

PerkSpot’s PTO policy empowers you to take the breaks you deserve, because we don’t set a fixed limit for PTO each year! Whether you’re taking a trip to Europe or taking a few days off to recharge, we encourage you to take the time off you need to be at your best.

Paid Parental Leave

Primary and secondary caregivers are afforded special leave time to care for and bond with their new child, paid at 100% of their current salary.

401(k)

PerkSpot provides a full 401(k) plan through Principal Financial Group, including matched contributions to help you reach your retirement goals. Through our partnership with Holberg Financial, you’ll also have access to exclusive, free financial planning services.

Flexible Remote Work

Flexible work options are part of PerkSpot’s dedication to a remote-first environment. Whether you reside in Chicago or elsewhere, all PerkSpotters are given the option to work remotely as they choose. We also offer a one-time reimbursement allowance for new hires to help ensure you have a home office setup that helps you work safely and productively.

Perks & Discounts

Whether you’re looking to save on a new TV, a trip across the country, or everyday expenses, we’ve got you covered with access to our steep, exclusive discounts offered through the PerkSpot platform.

Check out the full list of award winners here

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but here at PerkSpot our eyes are focused on the future. Click here to learn from a few PerkSpotters about our recent growth, the tangible impact of their work every day, and why it’s such an exciting time to join the team.

Ready to join one of Chicago’s best places to work? Check out our open roles and apply today!

Child Care Benefits To Add To Your List This Year

Being a parent is a rewarding and exciting part of life, but it also comes with responsibility and added costs. In fact, fifty-seven percent of working families spent more than $10,000 on child care in 2020. As an employer, there is more that can be done to support your hard working employees entering a new chapter in their lives. We’re highlighting a few of the different benefits that employers are adding to their list this year. 

Onsite Child Care 

Although not a new benefit, companies are implementing onsite care in growing numbers over the recent years. There are plenty of benefits to providing this option, especially if your team is in office. Employees have reported a sense of security having their children close by, and time savings with less time spent on drop off/pick up, an increase in productivity due to less days off caring for their child, and an increased sense of community with other employees with children. 

Paid Parental Leave 

Paternity leave policies have improved, but a reported 70% of men in the US take fewer than 10 days parental leave, according to a Department of Labor survey. It’s been shown that paternity leave provides lasting benefits, not only for fathers but children and mothers too. With businesses around the world jumping on the bandwagon and providing paternity leave policies, make this the year that your company joins the movement. 

Impactful Child Care Discounts 

Child care is pricey. There are a lot of new expenses when you add a new member to your family including healthcare, transportation, food, clothing, housing, daycare and so much more. A simple and effective way to provide support for your employees is to implement an employee discount program that provides your team access to steep discounts including savings on apparel, baby supplies, toys, child care, and education. 

Offer Flexibility

As a human resources professional, you know the difficulty of securing and managing benefits that meet your diverse workforce’s needs. But that shouldn’t get in the way of offering support to the working parents at your organization. Work closely with working parents to come up with a schedule that works for them. In addition, try to place less emphasis on the regular “9-5” working day. If your organization relies on strict hours or scheduled time tables, give employees the opportunity to edit their scheduling preferences based on their child-care needs. 

With PerkSpot, your employees can save up to $4,500 per year with exclusive access to thousands of discounts. Are you ready to improve your child care benefits with a no-cost, easy to implement program? Get started today!

5 Questions Answered About Employee Discount Programs

One of the benefits that has gained traction in the recent decades is employee discounts. It’s a great way for employers to contribute to their team’s financial wellness and it helps employees save on the things that matter most. Whether your company manages their discounts in-house, relies on seasonal promotions, or doesn’t provide discounts at all, an employee discount program is a simple way to improve your employee experience. But how do you get started? Which discounts do you provide? There are a lot of questions when it comes to employee discount programs and we are here to provide you with answers! 

What Is An Employee Discount Program? 

An employee discount program is a marketplace of exclusive discounts, negotiated by our team of experts, from top brands and local businesses. Employees can access their discounts through their discount portal and browse deals or search by brand or category. They can also discover curated and personalized discounts relevant to their interests, and enjoy savings on a variety of products and services. PerkSpot’s program drives financial wellness for your employees, putting money back into their pockets.

How Often Are New Discounts Added For Employees? 

PerkSpot negotiates directly with top brands to secure leading offers everyday. We are constantly adding new ways to save from local establishments to big-name nationwide brands. Not only that, but employees have the opportunity to suggest their favorite businesses and we will do our best to secure an exclusive offer! 

What Management Is Needed To Keep The Program Up To Date? 

We handle the management of your discount program. Your perks and discounts will be up and running in a matter of days.  We’ll help with custom branding tailored to your unique organization and a built-in employee communication plan. Additionally, our team of client success managers are here to help you with anything you need. We help devise engagement strategies, create marketing materials, and more. 

What If Employees Have Questions or Run Into Issues?

Our customer support team is always available to help your employees with any questions. We are dedicated to making their experience smooth and problem-free. 

How Much Does It Cost Per Year To Provide An Employee Discount Program? 

PerkSpot is a cost-free program. With 25+ savings categories, there are endless opportunities to save with no hidden fees. 

Providing employees with impactful discounts is the quickest, easiest way to contribute to your team’s financial wellness. With a discount program like PerkSpot, you not only are able to provide unbeatable savings, but you have a program that does the work for you. Start your team’s savings journey today!

5 Trending Benefits To Implement In 2023

Benefits are always evolving and adapting, especially with new generations joining the workforce and work environments becoming more flexible. Whether it’s the option to work remotely or commuter benefits, there are endless ways to help your employees feel valued. With the new year right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to consider what benefits you’ll be providing employees in the upcoming months. 

To make things easier, we’ve laid out a list of the benefits employees are looking for out of their current or future employer! 

1. Financial Wellness Contributions

With record high inflation rates in the past year, employees have been challenged financially to keep up. To mitigate the effects, it will be crucial to provide benefits that help your employees stretch their paycheck. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to provide financial value to your team. A few examples include financial reimbursements 401(K) contributions, a flexible spending account, financial planning and coaching, and implementing or upgrading your employee discount program. 

2. Voluntary Benefits 

Healthcare costs only continue to increase causing employees and their families added stress. A few of the trending voluntary benefits that companies are taking advantage of are accident insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, identity theft protection, and pet insurance. By including these benefits at no-cost to employees, it’s a great way to provide protection and security. 

3. Family Planning Support

According to Mercer data, 70% of employers are already offering or planning to offer parental leave in 2023. Additionally,  53% are providing or planning to provide paid adoption leave. Not only that, but companies are starting to provide surrogacy benefits, fertility treatment coverage, on-site or backup childcare options, and extended leave for both parents

4. Mental Health Benefits

With the recent pandemic, increased inflation, and a rise in layoffs, employees have been not only challenged physically but also mentally. Now is a great opportunity to add or improve your benefits around well-being. A few examples you can provide include online resources like classes or apps, employee assistance programs, employee training and workshops, and discounted therapy access. 

5. Unique, Outside The Box Perks

Employers across the nation are starting to implement fun, exciting benefits that employees are loving. Whether it’s extended time off for holidays, volunteering days, unlimited PTO, lunch stipends, pet-friendly workspaces, or home-office contributions, there are plenty of ways to increase employee engagement with new perks. 

When it comes to employee benefits, there are plenty of opportunities available to help your employees feel valued. Ready to get started today with a financial benefit that helps employees save on the things that matter most? Sign up for a demo and provide your team with exclusive access in a matter of days. 

4 Budget-Friendly Gift Giving Techniques For Employees

Finding the right way to say “thank you” to your employees during the holiday season can be stressful. But believe it or not, it doesn’t have to be. Not only will your employees feel appreciated, but gift giving is a great way to recognize their hard work and accomplishments over the past year. 

We’ve laid out four tips and tricks to conquer this holiday season with gift giving techniques that don’t break the bank. Your wallet will thank you and your team will feel valued! 

1. Keep In Mind That A Homemade Gift Is Just As Special

Sometimes when we think about gift giving it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying the next best thing or associating the amount of money spent with your gift’s value. In reality, there’s plenty of ways to show your team you care with homemade cards, blankets, cookie mix, ornaments, mittens, and so much more. It’s the thought that counts! 

2. Remember The Importance Of Quality Over Quantity 

Sometimes the best gift is the gift of quality time. Instead of unwrapping presents, plan to spend time together as a team. You could plan an event you’ll all attend, schedule a virtual happy hour with festive beverages, or even volunteer for a good cause with one another. Sometimes the best gift is the one filled with laughter and catching up. 

3. Did Someone Say Company Swag? 

One of the easiest ways to thank your employees is to set them up with some new company swag. There’s plenty of options including mugs, sweatshirts, phone cases, slippers, and so much more. Not only is company swag a great investment that promotes your company, but it also boosts company culture and brand recognition in the long-run. 

4. Don’t Forget To Make It Personal When Gift Giving

A simple and effective way to give a gift that goes the extra mile is to incorporate personalization. Is there a coffee shop your team loves? Does your team enjoy grabbing lunch at a nearby restaurant? No matter what you decide, be sure to include a personal message reiterating your gratitude. It’s safe to say that a handwritten card will go a long way with your employees. 

There’s plenty of ways you can recognize the hard work of your employees this holiday season.Thanking your team and showing appreciation will not only make their holiday more jolly, but it will pay off long term. In fact, a recent survey found that engagement, productivity, and performance are 14% higher than in those companies without recognition.

We’re here to help this holiday season. An employee discount program can make  your gift-giving easier and less expensive, so you can focus on building a better business while keeping employees happy and engaged. Schedule a demo today to discover great deals on family fun time, new gadgets, last minute gifts, and more. 

From all of us here at PerkSpot, happy holidays!

An Inside Look At PerkSpot’s Headquarters

We’re headed behind the scenes to get a glance at PerkSpot’s Headquarters located in Downtown Chicago. At PerkSpot, our mission is to inspire others to love where they work, and that starts right here with our own employees. What began as an idea has now sprouted into a company that is changing the lives of employees at more than 1,000 businesses around the world, all with the goal to build a better place to work.

Above all, we are proud to be a leader in the human resources space, creating new and valuable ways for employers to provide financial wellness for over one million employees with an attitude of humility, generosity, and gratitude.

 

 

 

Collaboration is Key

PerkSpot’s office is built for collaboration. With two stories of workspaces, the options are endless.

 

 

 

 

Open-Air Concept

With an open-air concept, employees are able to smoothly work cross-functionally with other internal teams. In addition, there are plenty of meeting rooms available for private meetings. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kitchen

Did someone say free lunch? The PerkSpot kitchen is the perfect place to mingle with colleagues. It’s also a great place to cheers to our successes!

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Nooks

Why work from a desk when you can work from a couch? PerkSpot has multiple nooks to let your creativity flow.

 

 

 

 

 

Historical Elements

Located at 320 W Ohio Street, the PerkSpot office has historical elements throughout with brick walls and industrial accents.

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Sunlight

You don’t have to worry about a lack of sunlight here. In other words, with windows on every wall, natural lighting is always present.

 

 

 

 

A Culture of Recognition

We are proud of our accomplishments. In other words, our recognition wall is the perfect motivation for all employees.

 

 

 

 

Outstanding People

Our people are pretty great. Throughout the office you’ll find PerkSpotters hard at work to provide the best possible experience for our members.

 

 

 

 

Work Hard, Play Hard

PerkSpotters like to have fun too! We frequently hold events both in-person and virtually to connect with our peers and get to know one another.

 

 

For our colleagues in Chicago, we offer the flexibility to work remotely. Yet, we cherish our in-person monthly All Hands meetings along with occasional in-office collaboration days. For our remote employees, we offer occasional travel into the office for team and company events.

 Recently, PerkSpot was named one of Built In Chicago’s 2022 Midsize Companies Best Places To Work and one of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies by Inc. 5000. 

We’re always looking for people who align with our core values, an essential part of who we are as a company. Are you interested in becoming a PerkSpotter? Check out our open positions and apply today!

H-E-B Helps Employees Save When They Need It Most

H-E-B needed a benefit that satisfied the needs of their entire workforce, made up of nearly 120,000 employees. “We have a lot of single parents and employees on a budget, so we’re always trying to see how we can better serve them,” said Lupe Melendez, the Benefits and Health and Wellness Advisor of H-E-B. That’s where PerkSpot stepped in. After partnering with H-E-B in 2016,  all employees are able to save with thousands of exclusive savings. 

How Does PerkSpot Support H-E-B? 

When asked why H-E-B was looking to make the switch from their previous discounts provider to PerkSpot, Lupe Melendez said, “H-E-B was looking for someone who was seamless, provided various resources, and was easy for our Partners to navigate, a one stop shop.”

With PerkSpot, there’s not much required from an HR director or benefits manager. A dedicated client success manager sends regular reports detailing employee savings, program participation, and more. Additionally, marketing materials are sent throughout the year. By highlighting seasonal savings, employees can make the most of their discount program!

“What we love most is that we don’t have to do a lot of manual entries. I love the fact that PerkSpot handles all of the logistics for us and we don’t have to continuously respond to various vendors who constantly call or email. PerkSpot gets back to you.”

How Did Employees Save During Difficult Times? 

As a grocery store during the Covid-19 pandemic, leaders at H-E-B’s corporate offices quickly realized how thinly stretched their time would be. With important discussions at hand, leaders from over 300 stores became busy fast with store management. With such a strong focus on this, PerkSpot’s relationship with H-E-B became crucial. 

PerkSpot doubled down on efforts to find the most relevant savings for employees. In turn, the efforts helped those who were strongly impacted by the pandemic to save time and money where they needed it most.

Check out other savings stories from some of PerkSpot’s partners. 

Interested in joining the hundreds of companies helping their employees save with unmatched discounts? Schedule a demo today to get started! 

Meet PerkSpot’s 2022 Internship Program

With the summer coming to a close, we are celebrating the success of the internship class over the past year. From leading projects to participating in training and skill buildings, the interns were fully immersed in what a career at PerkSpot looks like. Not only that, but with a variety of different backgrounds and experiences, our interns spread out across multiple teams ranging from sales to engineering. 

We Aim High

Each of the interns exceeded their manager’s expectations while participating in projects and taking ownership of their responsibilities. Unlike other internships, our program is dedicated to providing real value during the duration of their time with PerkSpot. 

Week by Week Timeline

Managers created an overall framework to get each intern’s project done and achieve their goals. In doing so, this allowed them to get the experience that was relevant to their major while exploring their interests with real life examples and tools.

Team Support

Intern’s were challenged with a larger sized project for the majority of their program. In an effort to build relationships amongst our interns, we created a friendly atmosphere with someone to lean on for advice or provide support throughout the process! 

Skill Building Days 

As part of the internship, we dedicated a full day to building useful skills in the workplace, like DISC assessments, mental health and ways to avoid burnout, time management, giving and accepting feedback, and many more. 

We Stay Humble 

Our humble beginnings remind us that there is no job too big or too small when it comes to the success of our team. Therefore, our interns involvement with every project with had an impact, no matter the size. We’re beyond grateful for each and every one of their contributions! 

We Value People 

People, be they employees, users, clients, or merchants, are at the center of everything we do and it’s our goal to serve them as best we can. As part of the intern’s time, they planned a company-wide event for all PerkSpotters to attend. Based on superlatives, the intern’s had everyone submit their votes for a variety of categories. It was an exciting way to recognize and get to know the great PerkSpotters of the company. 

We Have Fun

We held an after work event at the office along with a company-wide picnic in downtown Chicago to celebrate an exciting summer and the great work of each of the interns. It was a great time getting together and having some fun! 

Check out some of our favorite memories from the summer below!

Thanks again to our amazing interns,

  • Arthur Hartnett, Sales Trainer Intern 
  • Twinkle Patel, Quality Assurance Intern 
  • Jake Rogers, Software Engineer Intern 
  • Anthony Hanna, Sales Operations Intern
  • Kevin Cooke, Business Intelligence Intern

Are you interested in an internship with PerkSpot in the future? Stay tuned for our open positions on our careers page. Check out our other open roles in the meantime!