Here’s to your health

If you want to make your company attractive to prospective employees, offer them health club memberships as a perk. And while you’re at it, let them arrange their schedules so that they can use the club when it’s convenient for them.

That suggestion is among many you should consider to attract new employees, according to a recent survey of 1,058 out-placed managers by the international outplacement consulting firm Lee Hecht Harrison.

The firm’s study revealed that 58 percent of those surveyed listed health club membership as the perk most job seekers want from their next employer.

“Given a wish list of discretionary benefits, including use of company car, concierge services and tuition reimbursement, the greatest number of respondents indicate they would like to have a health club membership in their new job,” says Rebecca Sohn, senior vice president and general manager of the consulting firm.

Coming in a close second was flextime, desired by 57 percent of respondents.

But when those surveyed were asked what they expect to receive from their next employer, only 8 percent said a health club membership, and 24 percent expect flextime.

Sohn suggests that offering benefits job seekers don’t expect may be a good way to differentiate your company from others vying for the same candidates.

“By the same token,” says Sohn, “companies should continue to offer things like cell phones, laptops and other technology that job seekers both want and expect.”

How to reach: Lee Hecht Harrison, www.lhh.com

Ray Marano ([email protected]) is associate editor at SBN.