5 benefits (other than salary) you can negotiate at work

If you’re interviewing for a new job, it’s natural to assume that scoring a salary you’re happy with is the only leverage you have to work with.

But it’s not – there are often other benefits on the table that could make your work life a lot easier or happier, that you could negotiate for as well.

Here are five benefits (beyond salary) that you can and should negotiate for at work.

1. Professional development

While it’s not yet commonplace, many companies do have a PD budget for each staff member – and it’s a benefit job-seekers consider really valuable, as we found in our latest Frontline Feel Good Index Report. And it’s not surprising; anything that helps keep you relevant in the jobs market is a good thing.

Offering financial support for professional development can also work in the employer’s favour, too: companies who invest in their employees have a happier workforce and better staff retention. According to a LinkedIn study, 94 percent of employees say they’d stay at a company longer if it invested in their career.

2. Flexibility

Not all workplaces can offer you the chance to work from home – if you’re in retail, healthcare or hospitality, it’s pretty much a given that you’ll have to front up to a physical workplace in order to do your job.

But flexibility can mean more than just #WFH privileges: it might mean that the company has a supportive culture. It might truly champion work/life balance, and roster you on for shifts that enable you to manage your family commitments. The company might also offer schedule flexibility which might mean you can swap shifts easily with other staff, or choose specific shifts you want to do, giving you a sense of control over how you work.

3. Subsidising certain expenses

Some companies might help employees with things like transport costs, tuition reimbursement, discounts to popular retailers or corporate private health insurance – which can all save you a chunk of change each month.

They may also offer referral programs, discounts with leading technology brands, cheap car rental, or covering the fees for professional memberships.

4. Extra annual leave

The legal minimum of four weeks off per year was as good as it got for most Australians starting a new job – but we’re starting to see more companies change it up a bit. Some employers may now offer staff the option to ‘buy’ extra leave or even apply for a ‘career break’ so you can take time off to go and explore personal interests.

Job ads may specify that staff receive a day off on their birthdays, get official mental health days off if needed, or just receive a few days of extra annual leave. And some companies are even offering unlimited paid leave for employees who’ve stuck around for a set period of time.

5. Health and wellbeing programs

Post-pandemic, it’s becoming far more common for companies to commit to fostering a resilient, healthy workforce – and often that starts with health and wellbeing benefits.

They might offer a corporate wellness program, corporate gym discounts, stress relief assistance such as counselling or on-site meditation, mental health resources or discounts for health providers – such as eyecare companies. There might also be a push for nutritious snacks and fruit bowls on-site as well, to further promote a healthy lifestyle.

To wrap up…

It’s always worth reading the job spec carefully to see if the company you’re interviewing with offer specific benefits for staff – or negotiating with them on benefits that would make it more likely for you to take a job with them.

Many employers are finding it hard right now to find and hire the right people, so you may find it easier to negotiate benefits such as personal development or training, schedule flexibility or travel reimbursements. It can’t hurt to ask!

What other benefits are employers offering?

Download our latest Frontline Feel Good Index Report for 2022 to find out what other employers are offering and more stats and insights.