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23 Unique Employee Benefits for Service Businesses on a Budget

Headshot of Lisa Pham, Associate Content Marketing Writer at Jobber
Lisa Pham
Jan 22, 2025 12 min read
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Offering traditional benefits like dental, vision, and health benefits is amazing. But for small service businesses that don’t have the budget for it yet, there are other ways to show appreciation and support your team.

With a little creativity, you can build an affordable employee benefits package that attracts top talent, boosts loyalty, and keeps everyone motivated.

We’ve done the heavy lifting and put together 23 unique employee benefits that work. Plus, we’ve included examples and bonus tips to help you make the most out of these creative employee benefits ideas.

When you are caring about your employees in a way that they know you care more about them than production, they push themselves to the limits.

Danielle Rossi The Tree Lady Company

1. Free meals

Free breakfast, lunch, or even dinner can increase productivity and ensure your employees feel supported. Plus, 70% of employees enjoy receiving free work meals as it saves them time, and 80% say it saves them money. 

Example: Start a tradition like Bagel Mondays, Pizza Fridays, or Taco Tuesdays. Cater and provide free food for your team on a scheduled basis (bi-weekly, monthly).

2. Pet-friendly workplace

Do your employees have pets? Create a pet-friendly workplace to offer a relaxed and enjoyable environment for employees. 82% of HR professionals believe that a pet-friendly workplace helps recruit and retain better talent.

Remember to set clear guidelines to ensure safety and comfort, as not everyone might be comfortable with pets.

Example: Set up ‘Bring Your Pet to Work’ days or regularly allow well-behaved pets in the office. 

READ MORE: Tips to attract employees for your service business

3. Referral bonuses

Referral bonuses are a great way to reward employees for bringing in quality hires. Every successful referral also highlights your team’s commitment to your business’s growth.

Example: Offer a cash bonus or gift card for every successful referral. You can structure it by offering a set amount (like $75) when the new hire completes 30 days and a slightly larger amount ( like $125) after they pass their 90-day probation. 

READ MORE: How to hire better and faster with an employee referral program

4. Performance bonuses

57% of American employees said they’d choose performance recognition in the form of cash or bonuses. Recognizing hardworking individuals with employee bonuses rewards their achievements and creates a culture of employee recognition. It can also keep them motivated, productive, and satisfied with their job for longer.

Example: Offer bonuses tied to a mix of company performance, profitability, and customer satisfaction. If an employee crushes their sales target for the quarter—they’ll earn a performance bonus.

David Moerman from Revive Services recognizes and rewards his employees for exceptional customer service by monitoring positive reviews.

Every time there’s a Google Review, the office manager screenshots it, tags our two technicians, and they both get a bonus and we even pay double when the names get dropped for our technicians.

David Moerman Revive Services & Home Service Business Coach

5. Exclusive discounts on home services

Offer special discounts on home services like cleaning, lawn care, plumbing, or HVAC services. Employee discounts are a practical and meaningful benefit for your crew and can strengthen local community ties.

Example: Partner with another local home service business to secure special rates for your crew and offer a discount in return. It’s a good way to exchange discounts and share potential clients.

If you run a pooper scooper business, team up with a residential cleaning business. Give their team a discount on your services, and they can return the favor with discounted home cleanings. You save money, offer an excellent benefit for your team, and may gain customer referrals down the road—a win-win.

6. Exclusive discounts at select stores

Give your employees special discounts at select stores. This unique benefit supports local businesses and gives your employees added financial benefits to enjoy.

Example: Work with nearby coffee shops, restaurants, or shopping stores to negotiate a discount for your employees only.

7. Flexible scheduling

Let your employees adjust their work hours to accommodate personal needs like appointments, family responsibilities, or unexpected emergencies. About 58% of U.S. workers say flexible work schedules help balance personal and professional priorities better. 44% also say they’re less stressed, which can boost overall productivity.

Customize this benefit to your business needs so it doesn’t affect your service quality and work productivity.

Example: Offer a window of flexible hours, like starting the day between 6 and 8 am and ending the day between 2 and 4 pm. For working parents, you can let them leave early for school pickups.

I’ve got one employee, his passion is Dungeons and Dragons, so I make sure every Thursday he is in by four o’clock so that he can get to his D&D campaign.

One of my interview questions I always ask is, ‘What are you passionate about outside of work?’ I want to know that money is not their passion because our passions are so much more than that. So, I want to make sure that the people we bring in align with that, and I continue that conversation once they are employed with us.

Danielle Rossi The Tree Lady Company

8. Discounted wellness programs or memberships

Support your team’s physical and mental health with discounted wellness programs or memberships. These wellness benefits encourage healthy habits without the financial strain.

Example: Negotiate a discount with a local gym or wellness center (for services like physiotherapy and massages). Or, you can reimburse health and wellness program expenses and cap them at a certain amount annually.

9. No work beyond regular hours

Avoiding work outside of your standard operating hours sets clear boundaries for your employees. It’s an effective way to support your employee’s life outside of the workplace and help prevent work burnout.

Example: In your employee contract, outline no evening/weekend work is required. If your business might require overtime, clearly communicate it in the contract.

10. Paid time off (PTO)

Paid time off is a big deal—62% of American workers consider it essential for vacations, routine doctor’s visits, or dealing with minor illnesses. Giving your team PTO can keep them happy, prevent burnout, and create a healthier and more productive work environment.

Example: Consider providing paid time off for vacations and holidays. When setting up your employee vacation policy, decide how many days off you can afford. That could be two or three weeks of annual vacation per employee. 

For paid holidays, be clear in employee contracts about which days your team gets off. In the U.S., 97% of workers get PTO for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Other popular holidays include Independence Day, Labor Day, and New Year’s Day.

11. Birthday off

Birthdays are a special part of anyone’s year, so give your employees a day off to celebrate their birthday with loved ones. It’s a small gesture, but it can make your crew feel seen and valued.

Example: Let your employees schedule a paid day off for their birthday. If their birthday falls in the middle of the week, give them the option to schedule their day off on Monday or Friday, so they can enjoy a long weekend on you.

12. Hobby allowance

Hobby allowances support your employees’ personal interests. It encourages them to pursue their passions outside of work hours, which can enhance creativity, reduce stress, and provide overall support.

Example: Offer a monthly or annual allowance for their hobbies. Set a reasonable limit (like $50 a month) and make sure your employees submit receipts for reimbursement.

13. Team building activities

Team-building activities can make your workplace more enjoyable and strengthen team relationships. Given how much time your employees spend together, it’s a great solution for encouraging more team bonding. 

Example: Organize team-building activities (at the office or a venue) to improve valuable skills. You can focus on improving skills like communication, strategic thinking, or teamwork. Offer prizes like gift cards or company swag at the end for winning teams.

Danielle Rossi from The Tree Lady Company includes team-building activities to help improve skills like communication. She also offers prizes to bump up employee engagement:

You’ve got one person who draws and one person who describes the drawing. They have to only verbally explain what they’re seeing.

I’ll tape $10 to our dry-erase board and they’ll fight it out on who can communicate most effectively to get that drawing just right.

For weeks after we do that exercise every time, I find that the miscommunications that can come up are many fewer. It’s a really helpful exercise to have a little fun, but also helps the crew to remember that you’ve got to talk about it.

Danielle Rossi The Tree Lady Company

14. Social impact days

Businesses with a commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) see productivity increase by 13% and turnover employee reductions of up to 50%. 

Social impact days give your team time off to contribute to a cause they care about. They encourage community involvement and foster teamwork if you volunteer as a company.

Example: Offer one or two paid or unpaid days per year for employees to volunteer at a local charity, school, or community organization. 

Or, schedule a semi-annual paid day off for your entire team to volunteer for a cause. You can mentor students, plant trees in the community, or run a charity fundraiser together.

15. Paid courses and certifications

More than 76% of employees say they’re more likely to stay with a company that offers continuous training. Courses or certifications will help your team develop important skills and grow professionally.

Example: Explore affordable online courses and certifications to offer your team. These might be related to safety, customer service, or technical skills specific to your industry.

16. Networking conferences/events

Networking events are a great opportunity for your crew to hone their skills, network with other like-minded professionals, and get inspired by the latest trends.

Example: Provide tickets to networking events so your team can learn about the latest trends and developments in your work industry. You can do this quarterly, semi-annually, or annually—as long as it doesn’t disrupt your typical services.

We recently took our guys to a TCC (tree climbing championship) event in March and they got to see all the climbing competitors.

If they are passionate about the tree care industry, I am finding and then pursuing opportunities for them to be exposed to the industry.

Danielle Rossi The Tree Lady Company

17. Career coaching or mentorship

Career coaching is a good way to keep your team motivated and confident about their work. It helps employees grow important skills with guidance from a pro, making your team stronger and more capable.

Example: Connect your employees with someone they can learn from, whether it’s a mentor inside the company or an outside professional coach. Encourage them to set up regular meetings (like bi-weekly or monthly) to discuss challenges and explore learning opportunities.

I want to equip you with skills that will serve you while you work in my company. Also when you move on one day, you’re going to have skills for life.

David Moerman Revive Services & Home Service Business Coach

18. Tuition reimbursement

Learning is the number one thing that makes Gen Z and Millennials happy at work. In fact, 94% of employees say that they would stay at a company longer if it invested in their professional development. Offering tuition reimbursement shows investment in your employees’ growth, boosting loyalty and employee retention.  

Example: Cover a portion of employee tuition costs for your employees attending vocational school, college, or university.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 127, employers can provide up to $5,250 per employee per year in educational assistance, covering expenses like tuition, books, supplies, and equipment. You may also be able to deduct the amount paid as a business expense under Section 162 of the Tax Code, which helps reduce your taxable income.

19. Childcare assistance

Employees with childcare benefits are able to avoid up to 13 days of work-related absences per year. Help your working parents manage the cost and stress of childcare with supportive benefits. In return, it’ll enhance your team’s productivity and job satisfaction.

Example: Reimburse a set amount/percentage of daycare costs. Or, partner with local childcare providers to offer discounted rates for your team members.

20. Employee tipping

Letting satisfied customers tip your employees is a great way to acknowledge their hard work. It can boost employee morale and be a reminder of their dedication to high-quality service.

Example: Set up a tipping system through your payment platform, like Jobber, or provide tip jars for in-person services. 

When you use Jobber Payments, customers can add a 10%, 15%, 20%, or a custom tip amount when they pay online.

Service invoice being paid with a 20% tip added in client hub through the Jobber mobile app

Our team absolutely loves the tipping feature that Jobber has.

We diagnosed our business last year, and it added about a $2 per hour increase to our technician’s pay per hour just from doing a great job and creating happy customers.

David Moerman Revive Services & Home Service Business Coach

21. Work clothes, tools, and safety equipment allowances

Allowances for work clothes, tools, and safety equipment (like safety boots) can help reduce personal expenses while keeping your team well-equipped (and safe) on the job. 

Reimbursing employees for safety equipment protects your employees and helps you avoid paying for time lost from potential work-related accidents.

Example: Set an annual allowance (like $400) to cover necessary clothing, tools, and safety equipment. Just make sure your employees submit receipts for proper reimbursement.

22. Travel mileage reimbursement

Reimbursement for travel-related work helps reduce the financial burden of travel costs. This is especially useful for employees who regularly drive to job sites. You can also offer commuter benefits and reimburse employees for daily travel expenses to and from work.

Example: Use mileage-tracking apps to make reimbursements simple and hassle-free. They help you stay accurate without the guesswork.

23. Work anniversary program

About 90% of employees have high trust in a leader who recognizes their accomplishments. An anniversary program celebrates your employees’ dedication and achievements, fostering a positive and motivating company culture.

Example: Create an anniversary program to celebrate employee milestones like one-year, three-year, or five-year anniversaries. You can hold a small celebration and provide gifts to make them feel valued and appreciated.

Being affirmed is huge.

So having a system of reward, of encouragement when our team does something really well, especially our top performers, we stop and we celebrate it, whether it’s something big or something small.

Raquel Lindsey Sparkle & Shine Cleaning Services of West MI, LLC.

Why you should offer employee benefits

Employee benefits aren’t just another expense—they’re an investment in your team and the success of your business. Taking care of your crew means they’ll take care of your customers, and that’s a win-win.

Here’s why offering employee benefits can make a big difference:

  • Increases team productivity. When your team feels supported, they bring their A-game. Happy and healthy employees are focused and ready to tackle their jobs.
  • Boosts employee retention. Losing great employees is expensive—both in dollars and team morale. Offering great benefits shows you value your team’s hard work, making them more likely to stick around. 
  • Attracts top talent. A good employee benefits package makes your business more appealing to job seekers. It helps you stand out and attract the best people in the industry. 
  • Improves employee satisfaction. Employees who feel appreciated and cared for are more likely to enjoy their work and stay motivated.
  • Builds a strong employer brand. When your employees feel valued, they’ll talk about it. This enhances your reputation and makes your company the one people want to join.
  • Reduces stress and burnout. Benefits that focus on work-life balance help your team manage challenges without burning out. When your team is balanced, they perform better. 

READ MORE: A step-by-step guide on hiring your first employee

4 budget-friendly ways to maximize employee benefits

Here are four practical tips to make the most of your creative employee benefits package: 

  1. Team up with the right partners. A good deal isn’t about being cheap—it should be about the value it offers. Skip the low-quality options that might hurt your employees’ experience. 
  2. Keep communication clear. If you’re tweaking employee benefits, let your team know what’s changing, why, and how it affects them. Clear and honest communication builds team trust and makes transitions smoother, too.
  3. Think big picture, not just the bottom line. Go for sustainable employee benefits that aren’t just quick fixes. Long-term, quality benefits mean happy employees and fewer headaches down the road.
  4. Focus on what matters to your employees. Benefits shouldn’t only be about the money—it’s about making your team feel valued. Will the benefit boost team morale? Will it keep everyone happy and motivated? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

5 popular employee benefits trends in 2025

Check out these five trending affordable employee benefits small businesses are embracing: 

  1. Flexible scheduling – More businesses are offering flexible start and end times to help balance work-life needs.
  2. Health and wellness support – Businesses are offering discounted rates for health and wellness programs to keep employees feeling their best.
  3. Professional development – More business owners are covering the costs of courses, certifications, and professional training to help employees level up their careers.
  4. Special discounts – Businesses are partnering with other businesses to score discounted rates, reducing financial strain and building community connections. 
  5. Travel reimbursement – Many businesses are reimbursing mileage or transportation costs, easing travel expenses’ burden.

Whether you’re just starting out or working with a tight budget, you can still offer powerful employee benefits your team will love. 

By focusing on unique, affordable employee benefits ideas, you’ll build a loyal, motivated team ready to grow with your business.

Want more expert tips for building a team of loyal high performers? Check out this episode of Jobber’s Masters of Home Service podcast. Get proven tips on leading your team and helping them find real purpose in their work:

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