After months of job applications and interviews, you finally received an offer. It’s tempting to accept it right away, especially if your new employer is giving you a higher salary than your previous job.
However, before signing an offer, it’s worth considering other factors besides the salary that could make you happier at your new job.
In this article, we’ll go over some benefits you should negotiate, such as days off, flexible schedule, childcare, parental leave and much more.
Benefits You Should Negotiate Other Than Salary
Employee benefits are particularly important for fast-paced sectors like hospitality. Considering its physically demanding nature, irregular working hours and dynamic settings, negotiating benefits to prevent burnout is important.
Reviewing these 17 employee benefits below will help you identify things that will keep you motivated to work in this industry.
1. Flexible Work Schedule
A flexible work schedule allows you to adjust your hours to fit your personal and family needs.
Beyond convenience, a flexible schedule can make you more productive and satisfied with your job.
When you can plan and do your work during the times you’re most alert and focused, it will lead to increased efficiency and a greater sense of accomplishment.
2. Vacation Time
A generous vacation policy helps you handle the stress of your job effectively.
Hospitality workers typically get 6 paid vacation days after a year of service.
Asking your prospective employer for extra vacation time allows you to enjoy hobbies and create a more balanced and fulfilling life outside of work.
It will also be helpful to know the leave laws of the specific state you’re working in. Aligning your requests with existing regulations ensures a smoother negotiation process.
3. Paid Time Off
Vacation time and paid time off (PTO) differ in their scope.
Vacation is a subset of PTO, while PTO covers various forms of time away from work.
It includes the following:
- Sick leave: A leave employees take for health reasons
- Personal day: A leave intended for short-term and immediate needs, such as special occasions, personal appointments and emergencies
- Parental leave: A leave employees take to care for a newborn, adopted or foster child
- Caretaker leave: A leave employees take to provide care and support for a family member who is ill, disabled or requires assistance
- Bereavement leave: A leave granted to employees following the death of a close family member or a loved one.
Unfortunately, the majority of hospitality workers aren’t provided with enough PTO. In comparison to employees in the finance (95%) and tech (60%) industries, hospitality workers have the least access to paid vacation at 43%.
| Industry | Access to PTO |
|---|---|
| Finance | 95% |
| Tech | 60% |
| Hospitality | 43% |
Having these relevant industry benchmarks will help you negotiate with your potential employer.
Here is an example of how you can negotiate for more PTO:
“Given the statistics for paid leaves in the hospitality industry, I am eager to discuss the possibility of aligning the benefits package more closely with other industries. I believe this adjustment would not only contribute to employee satisfaction but also enhance the overall well-being and productivity of the team.”
4. Relocation Stipend
This is a fixed sum of money given by an employer to help cover moving costs related to the job.
There are many different kinds of relocation stipends but here are the most common:
Lump Sum
This relocation package involves a company giving an employee a fixed amount of cash to assist with moving expenses.
The employee decides how to use the funds, whether for hiring a moving service, transportation or other necessary costs.
Reimbursement
In this setup, the employee pays for all moving costs first.
The employer later gives them money back, either in full or up to a certain limit.
Third-Party Relocation
In this arrangement, a company hires an external service to assist employees in finding moving services, transportation and storage options.
The employer covers all the expenses associated with this third party.
Expatriation Assistance
Expatriation assistance is provided to employees moving to a different country.
This support includes moving costs, work visas and other needs for adjusting to a new country.
5. Dental Benefits
In customer-oriented jobs, having good oral health is essential for a professional appearance.
Small companies, restaurants and hotels aren’t obligated to provide this benefit.
But it’s worth asking about, as dental benefits can lead to cost savings by lowering out-of-pocket expenses for dental procedures.
See also: 35 Crucial Questions To Ask Before Accepting a Job Offer
6. Childcare Budget
This benefit helps working parents with the costs of childcare services. Here are the most common types of childcare budgets:
- Covering daycare expenses
- Offering access to trusted childcare services
- Allocating space for childcare in the workplace
Having childcare benefits eases the financial strain of child-related expenses for employees. This allows them to balance work and family responsibilities more effectively.
7. Professional Development Budget
This benefit aims to invest in the growth and skills enhancement of employees.
Professional development budget enables employees to pursue relevant training, certifications and workshops that align with their career trajectory.
Negotiating for this benefit empowers you to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.
8. Educational Opportunities
While related to the professional development budget, educational opportunities differ by focusing on formal academic programs.
For example, as a Restaurant Manager, you can explore degree programs in financial management to learn more about budgeting, cost control and financial analysis.
Your employer may choose to provide tuition reimbursement for the costs associated with pursuing this academic program.
Other companies collaborate with academic institutions to support their employees’ continuing education for both personal and professional development.
Be proactive in exploring and utilizing such opportunities to enhance your skills and advance in your career.
See also: How To Evaluate a Job Offer
9. Retirement Plans
This financial arrangement helps you save and invest for your retirement years.
It typically involves contributing a portion of your earnings to dedicated retirement accounts, such as a 401(k), which may be supplemented by employer matching contributions.
A retirement plan provides financial security and support during your retirement.
10. Life Insurance Plans
According to the latest government data for the United States in 2024, fatalities in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 23% from 2021 to 2022.
This highlights the significance of negotiating a life insurance plan to safeguard your future and provide for your dependents.
11. Disability Insurance
This employee benefit replaces a portion of your income if you can’t work because of an injury.
Securing this insurance is important as it covers your living expenses, medical bills and other financial commitments in case you are unable to work due to an accident or illness.
12. Transportation Reimbursements
This covers costs like public transportation, fuel or parking.
It is valuable for roles that require frequent commuting. For instance, being an Event Planner means visiting venues, meeting with clients and managing logistics.
See also: 9 Reasons You’re Getting Interviews but No Offers
13. Equity Compensation Package
This is a type of reward that includes ownership stakes in a company.
An equity compensation package is usually given in the form of stocks, stock options or performance shares. It can be a valuable addition to your entire financial portfolio, providing financial gains as the company succeeds.
14. Pet Allowance
According to Forbes Advisor, the cost of dog expenses accounts for an average of $1,533 a year. This only covers pet boarding, veterinary care and pet insurance.
Negotiating for this benefit can significantly ease the financial load for pet owners.
15. Career Growth Opportunities
If you aspire to transition to a higher position, inquire about career growth opportunities during negotiations.
For example, if you’re a Front Desk Associate aiming for a Front Office Manager position, ask about available training, mentorship and advancement programs within the company.
This proactive approach helps you secure a clear path for advancement within the company.
Access to career growth opportunities contributes to higher job satisfaction, as you feel supported in your career aspirations and have the chance to continually grow.
16. Travel Options
Travel benefits packages typically offer discounts or reimbursements for personal travel-related expenses like flights, accommodation and transportation.
Negotiating these benefits can help you save a substantial amount on your travel costs.
See also: 15 Best Skills to Put On a Resume
17. Discounts on Company Products or Services
This perk lets you enjoy your employer’s products or services at a lower cost, giving you a real financial advantage.
For instance, if you work in a hotel or resort, negotiating for discounts could mean getting lower rates on room bookings, dining services or other amenities.
It’s a practical and attractive benefit that aligns your interests with the offerings of the company.
18. Signing Bonus
A signing bonus is an amount of extra money that an employer gives you when you sign an employment contract for a new position.
If you’re joining as a manager or an executive who’ll be in charge of multiple team members, a signing bonus is one way that employers can incentivize you to sign with them and not their competitors.
Employers can also offer a sign-on bonus to new hires as a way to make up for any benefits they may lose when they leave their old jobs.
19. Remote Work
Working remotely has dozens of benefits that can save you substantial time, money and flexibility, especially if your commute to work is longer than an hour.
Since the pandemic, remote work has become an increasingly more popular benefit that employees are asking of their employers. Even if you’re not able to negotiate on the dollar amount of your salary, you might be able to save some money by working remotely and not spending extra money on gas or bus/subway tickets.
Additionally, keep in mind that most employers allow a hybrid setup nowadays. What this means is that you can spend one or two days working from home, and go to the office the remaining days. Many employees prefer this setup because it gives them a better work-life balance.
20. A Better Title
This might seem like a small thing, but it’s definitely something you should consider.
While an impressive job title might not matter at the moment, it can open doors in your next role at a different company. You can even state clearly that you’re not asking for a salary increase, just a job title change.
For example, if you’re an Event Coordinator but your tasks and duties align more with those of an Event Manager, you can ask to have the title of an Event Manager. That way, you can change your role on your CV and platforms like LinkedIn that hiring managers visit often.
See also: How To Accept a Job Offer
21. Severance Package
A severance package consists of benefits that an employer may offer to an employee when their employment is terminated, typically through no fault of the employee. In many cases, this includes a lump-sum payment, continued health insurance for an extended period of time, unused vacation pay or even outplacement services.
It’s important to negotiate a severance package because it can provide you with financial security during a period of unemployment and can soften the blow of losing a job. Most large companies have some sort of severance packages in place, though a lot of them reserve them for higher-level or long-term employees.
22. Better Office Space
Having a comfortable and well-organized workspace can significantly boost your productivity. When discussing job terms, it’s worth asking about your work setup. You could negotiate for an office rather than a cubicle, a more spacious area or even a spot with a nice view.
What Are Employee Benefits?
Employee benefits are perks or advantages provided to employees beyond their base salaries.
These perks aim to promote employee well-being and attract and retain top talent.
A study supports this, with 53% of employees saying that benefits play a significant role in their job satisfaction.
Why Employee Benefits Are 100% Worth Negotiating
Negotiating with hiring managers can be challenging for some.
But it’s worthwhile for the following reasons:
- It provides financial security.
- It contributes to a healthier work-life balance.
- It assists in your professional development.
- It helps manage family responsibilities.
Approach the negotiation process with the thought that it’s a normal part of the job process.
Consider it as a constructive dialogue aimed at aligning your needs and expectations with those of the employer.
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Written by Rea Gierran
With a background in Communication Arts, Rea’s expertise lies in content marketing and copywriting. Her published works can be seen on online news websites such as Rappler and Adobo magazine. Outside of her work, Rea takes on the role of a “momager” for Shiro, a TikTok dogfluencer.
Reviewed by Stefan Petrov
With over 10 years of experience as a writer and editor, Stefan has worked in the automotive, IT, health and hospitality industries. Familiar with Google Search Console and other SEO tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, Stefan uses his experience to create content that’s visually appealing to the user but also ranks in the SERPs.
