Dive Brief:

• It can be difficult to compete with the likes of Google and Facebook, two companies known for outstanding employee perks, Cari Summer writes for Forbes. However, Espresa, a software startup in Palo Alto that offers a unique workplace services platform, enables employers to offer more than the standard benefits employees expect.
• The online and mobile app makes it possible to cater to the needs of employees, offering discounted access to everything from bicycle repair to TRX fitness classes. "The idea is to provide more work balance as a central core of every organization, instead of it being an afterthought," says Alex Shubat, CEO at Espresa. 
• The Espresa platform is also catering to the different needs of multi-generational employees. Espresa reports that work-life balance matters the most to the technical employees in the Palo Alto area, and that companies that have an engaged workforce retain employees at a 44% higher rate and bring in 29% more in revenues.  

Dive Insight:

Using benefits and work-life balance perks to attract and retain employees is nothing new. However, the way that Espresa approaches this with a marketplace for employees to choose from hundreds of services that matter the most to them is something of interest.

It can be hard for any human resource department to put together an employee discounts and services directory, and then continually add new programs. Having access to workplace services on-demand can help employees to stretch their earnings further, find more time to take care of personal and professional tasks, and access support on-the-go.