Bosses offer free rent, food and gym to lure and keep good workers

Australia is experiencing its tightest labour market in almost 50 years, meaning workers have an upper hand in demanding extra benefits.

Good talent is more valuable than ever as employers around the country offer incredible perks to keep good staff on the payroll and lure in new star workers.

Rent, food, getaways, free gym memberships, and generous remuneration are some ways Australian companies incentivise talent to stay with them.

According to an industry survey by KPMG, attracting and retaining talent will be the most significant issue worrying senior Australian executives in 2023, with 77 per cent of industry leaders ranking it above other concerns like cyber risks, digital transformation, regulation and flexible workplaces.

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Global consultancy firm KPMG says business leaders’ biggest concern this year is keeping and attracting good staff. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The firm found the majority of leaders – 61 per cent – expect talent acquisition and retention will ‘keep them up at night’ for the next five years.

Some employers have seen the writing on the wall and have made steps to keep their valuable staff.

In late 2021, Victorian Only Hospitality Group took an extraordinary step as the industry faced a crippling skills shortage.

Desperate for workers, the conglomerate offered chefs a year’s free accommodation in a staff house located opposite the beach at Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula, with an $85,000 annual wage to sweeten the deal.

Only Hospitality Group offered a year's free rent to lure a chef at Hobson in Rosebud. Picture: Facebook

The conglomerate, which employs 450 people, still offers free accommodation for staff working at its venues in Geelong and on the Mornington Peninsula.

Bosses say it’s taking a “change is as good as a holiday” approach.

With accommodation at or near its venues in Geelong and the idyllic Mornington Peninsula, staff at venues in Melbourne can take shifts at the bars and restaurants outside the city – with free accommodation for however long they wish to stay and explore.

Tony Pantano, chief operating officer at Only Hospitality Group, told news.com.au it was his company’s twist on flexible work arrangements – a luxury hospitality workers aren’t often afforded.

“We have a total of four accommodation options for our staff to stay at whilst they are working,” he said. “So we just wanted to create an incentive for the staff.

“Staff can go down the night before, catch up with their friends, and head out for dinner or a drink.

Only Hospitality Group offers city workers ‘working holidays’ in places like Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: David Crosling

“They can go to the beach before their shift.

“Most of them stay that night after their shift and then go home the next morning.

“It’s just about providing something different for our teams.”

In Sydney, McCabes Lawyers provides free breakfast on Fridays, while Newcastle dentist group, The Smile Factory, offers staff gym memberships as an extra perk.

In Queensland, a large-scale employer, Sharpe Engineering, has introduced on-demand pay – offering workers immediate pay for their work- to retain workers.

According to HR manager Rosie Jaimes, the payment program is a hit with apprentices who have young families, using it to navigate cost of living challenges.

Free gyms member ships, food and on-demand pay are among some perks being offered by bosses keen to keep good talent. Picture: Sarah Matray

Paytime CEO Steven Furman, who offers flexible financial solutions, including on-demand pay services, says Australia is experiencing its tightest labour market in almost 50 years, meaning workers have the upper hand in demanding extra benefits.

“Companies who don’t think ahead and outside the box when it comes to employee perks are going to get left behind in the battle for the best talent,” he said.

According to Mr Furman, five key perks employees are seeking are flexible work hours, time in lieu, on-demand pay or earned wage access, wellness packages and corporate discounts.

“Offering flexibility can be a deciding factor in somebody accepting a job offer,” he said.

“Employees are seeking time in lieu as compensation for hours worked overtime so they better achieve that balance.”

Paytime CEO Steven Furman deals in offering flexible financial solutions including on-demand pay services. Picture: Supplied

“Being able to access your wages when you want to is commonplace in the US and the UK now, and it’s just a matter of time until Australian corporates catch up with the rest of the world.

“A wellness package should focus on employee happiness, mental health and physical wellbeing. It’s about offering an array of health benefits that sets you apart from the competition.

“Employees are looking for corporate discounts across a range of industries such as health insurance, travel, and retail outlets. It’s about demonstrating a level of care for their lives outside of work as well.”

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