7 unusual employee benefits and rewards from around the world
October 2, 2012 3:17 PM
Out-of-office spending
Employees in Hungary increasingly receive electronic voucher cards as productivity incentives. The card can be used domestically to cover the cost of hotels, catering (hot food only) and certain leisure activities. The vouchers value is up to HUF 300,000 (EUR 1,089/USD 1,360) per year, but the amount is taxable.
Light it up
Nonfinancial benefits intended to improve employees lifestyles are highly valued in Africa. In Nigeria, for example, employees are offered home electricity generators, including maintenance costs, as a company benefit.
Eternity leave
In Australia, its common for long-serving employees to earn substantial leave in return for their loyalty. Generally, this leave equals 13 weeks after 15 years of service. After that, employees can earn an additional month for every five years of service.
Wedding leave
In China, many employers provide a special wedding/marriage leave. While policies vary by province, three days of leave is typical but additional days are allowed if the bride and groom meet the definition of being at a mature age25 for men and 23 for women.
Business start-up
In France, employees who have worked a minimum of 24 months with a company leave for a 12-month unpaid period to start of acquire their own business. At the end of the leave, the employee is entitled to return to his or her former position with an equivalent salary.
Single parent benefit
In Greece, all widows or single-parent employees who have a child under the age of 12 are entitled to six days of paid leave per year, beyond the leave that an employee would normally be given. For three or more kids, the entitlement rises to eight days annually.
Time off to celebrate
Employees under collective agreements in Sweden are usually entitled to paid leave for their 50th birthday, their wedding and for doctor visits.
