USA 
United Kingdom
‘Hangover leave’ is the new job perk that Americans would most like to see employers start offering, according to a new poll.
But millions would also welcome such other new benefits as ‘Breakup leave’ (compassionate leave when a romantic relationship ends) and ‘Houseplant bereavement leave’ (if a beloved houseplants dies) – according to the poll of 1,230 Americans conducted by YouGov for Trusaic, a provider of equal pay compliance software and consulting.
The war for talent, the ‘Great Resignation’ and the challenge of compensating staff in inflationary times all mean that employers are now offering ever more lavish benefits, in a kind of perks arms race.
“Some employers already offer ‘pawternity leave’ (paid time off to bond with a new pet) and pet bereavement leave,” said Matt Gotchy, Trusaic’s Executive VP of Marketing.
But ‘Houseplant bereavement leave’? “It may only be a matter of time,” says Gotchy. Some 13 million Americans (5%; rising to 8% aged 18-29), suggests Trusaic’s poll, would welcome it.
‘Paid celebration recovery leave’, alias ‘Hangover leave’, however, tops America’s wish-list of new “fantasy” job perks, with 23% (equivalent to 59 million Americans) of poll respondents backing the idea.
It would take the form of a paid day off after a wedding, bachelor or bachelorette party, college graduation party, landmark birthday party or celebration of any similarly important rite of passage.
This compares to:
17% (44M Americans) want ‘Breakup leave’.
12% (31M) want ‘Social media detox days’.
9% (23M) want ‘Compassionate leave for heartsick sports fans’, allowing time off to recover if their team loses a big, emotionally shattering game/series.
Nearly 48 million Americans quit their jobs last year, an all-time record, while studies show there are now two jobs for every one candidate.
Outlandish job perks may be one way to attract and retain talent in such competitive times – but Gotchy says that employer emphasis on fair pay and pay equity could be even more effective.
Josh Bersin, the HR analyst and thought-leader,said that “‘… equitable and fair pay is among the greatest drivers of employee satisfaction … It means we have to focus on pay equity … ’.”
The number one HR trend in 2022, declares The Harvard Business Review, is that, “Fairness and equity will be the defining issues for organizations.”
Gotchy said: “In short, if you want to win the war for talent, pay equity may be one of your best weapons – even maybe more potent than houseplant bereavement leave.”
