Benefícios não financeiros
Human Resources

Examples of non-financial benefits to motivate employees

30 de January, 2025

It’s no news that motivated employees are more involved and productive in their work. Nor is it news that benefits packages play a major role in motivating professionals.

In this context, it’s obvious that money matters. Financial benefits ensure greater disposable income and allow you to support employees in essential areas, contributing to their well-being and quality of life.

However, non-financial benefits should not be overlooked by companies. According to McKinsey & Company’s “McKinsey 2024 Performance Management Survey”, more than half of the employees surveyed say they feel more motivated when their company’s benefits policies combine financial and non-financial benefits.

But what kind of non-financial benefits can employers give their employees to motivate them? Discover some examples with us.

What are non-financial benefits?

Non-financial benefits are incentives that companies give their employees as a form of recognition and motivation and which do not involve monetary compensation.

Although companies still need to budget for these benefits, there is no retribution or direct payment to the employee, as is the case with financial extra-salary benefits (meal allowance, childcare support, health support, among others).

Combined with financial employee benefits, non-financial benefits help to increase satisfaction and engagement, reduce turnover and boost productivity.

1 – Extra days off or vacations

Time off and vacations are an opportunity for professionals to rest, recharge their batteries and spend quality time with their families and friends.

You can provide additional vacation days on employees’ birthdays, during festive seasons (Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve or Carnival) or simply extra days that each employee can use when it’s most convenient for them.

2 – Support for work-life balance

Only a healthy balance with personal and family life will allow employees to be satisfied and motivated in the professional sphere. When people feel that there is a flexible and adaptable integration between personal and professional life, they are in a better position to perform well at work and engage with the organizational culture.

For this to happen, try to incorporate benefits such as:

  • Flexible working hours;
  • Remote or hybrid working arrangements, if the job allows it and the employees want it;
  • Reduced working weeks or summer hours (possibility of leaving early or not working on Friday afternoons, for example);
  • Volunteering opportunities and access to other activities related to employees’ personal interests;
  • Family-friendly policies (e.g. flexible working hours for employees with newborn or school-age children, the possibility of teleworking after parental leave, among others);
  • Promoting financial literacy;
  • Among others.

3 – Wellness programs

It is undeniable that there is a direct relationship between the well-being of employees and their motivation. As such, prioritize employees’ physical and mental health through initiatives such as:

  • Promoting health literacy (sessions with doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, sports science specialists, among others);
  • Meditation, yoga, pilates, mindfulness or other sessions;
  • Access to gyms or other sports facilities (with full or discounted membership fees);
  • Regular examinations and analyses (health check-ups );
  • Among others.

4 – Social and team building activities

Fostering a good working environment is essential if professionals are to be satisfied. Companies should promote informal moments for people to interact and strengthen connections outside the work context. When we socialize with our colleagues and realize that we have common interests, the workplace becomes more pleasant and meaningful.

At the same time, team building activities are also an important tool for fostering a sense of unity and collaboration between members of the same team and between teams.

5 – Pleasant, safe and comfortable workplace

Have you ever wondered whether the physical space in which your employees work is contributing to their motivation? The truth is that a workplace that is pleasant, accessible and comfortable is crucial for people to feel good in it.

Ensure that employees have ergonomic chairs, natural light and the ideal temperature to perform their duties. Create visually appealing spaces and provide rest areas where professionals can take their breaks. Invest in a workplace that is functional, but also aesthetically pleasing, and where employees enjoy being.

6 – Opportunities for skills development

Most professionals look at training opportunities and career progression as an important factor when choosing a company to work for. Having a robust skills development plan that focuses on reskilling and upskilling is very important for keeping employees motivated.

Ensure access to courses, workshops and certifications so that people can improve their skills and develop new abilities. Do it in a personalized and individualized way, so that each employee works on their professional growth and realizes that the organization is making an investment in that growth.


In short, non-financial benefits are a key element in motivating employees. However, they only work in conjunction with a solid financial benefits policy. It is the combination of these two components that allows companies to improve their employee value proposition (EVP) more significantly and effectively.

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