Some of the more outrageous tales involved companies rewarding their employees with elaborate getaways, new cars and tee times at prestigious golf clubs. They were some of the more innovative options, but they were really geared toward making the company stand out. Tougher economic times have stopped that. Instead, companies seem to be focusing on what their workers mean to the business. Werntz says it's not so much a matter of who can make the front page as who can nurture their employees best.
Employers are generally more aware of the value of employees.
The No. 1 determinant of a company's success compared to other companies is the quality of its people. While benefits may not be the only reason people choose a job or decide to stay, they are one of the most significant. They may be even more important to employers than employees because of the tough labor market. Even as the country's employment outlook shows signs of easing, companies are still trying to keep abreast of what their workers want and need. They are finding that trends may come and go, but the importance of benefits never changes.