The pharmaceutical industry has long been a leader in offering high-value workplace perks, from onsite baristas to free laundry services. These perks have turned ordinary workplaces into inviting environments that boost job satisfaction and help attract and retain top talent.

However, tightening budgets and growing cost-cutting measures have made it increasingly important to prioritize perks that provide the greatest value to both employees and the organization.

Weighing the benefits: How to choose the right perks for your team

Whether employees work in corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, or research labs, companies should prioritize perks that directly improve employees’ day-to-day experience and operational efficiency. When evaluating perks, consider the following checklist:

Does the perk provide a high return on investment?

Workplace perks can directly impact productivity and employee retention, making them a strategic investment in your company’s long-term success.

ezCater’s Food for Work Report found that 90% of employees feel more positively about their company when food is provided. In addition, 78% of food orderers say workplace meals make employees more likely to stay. 

Will the perk reach all employees?

Perks like parking spaces or flexible work hours often only benefit a subset of employees. A good workplace perk should be useful to as many people as possible, no matter their role or schedule.

If a perk only benefits a small group, it can create resentment instead of boosting morale. The best perks make work easier, better, or more enjoyable for everyone, rather than just a select few.

Does the perk reduce employees’ mental load?

Perks that alleviate stress and free up time can make a real difference in employees’ day-to-day experience. In fact, employees say free workplace meals provide three key benefits: they save time (70%), save money (80%), and it gives them a real break (48%).

Instead of spending their lunch break finding food, employees can actually take time to recharge and connect with coworkers — boosting both productivity and job satisfaction.

Does it acknowledge employees’ full lives and responsibilities outside of work?

After-work happy hours may seem fun, but they don’t always work for employees with caregiving responsibilities or those who prefer not to drink. According to PEW Research, 38% of U.S. adults abstain from alcohol entirely, making drinking-centric perks less inclusive than they might seem.

At the same time, many employees juggle family responsibilities, commutes, or other obligations that make after-hours events difficult to attend. Offering perks that fit into the workday — like meal programs or flexible scheduling — ensures more employees can actually benefit from them.

Food perks are in demand, for employees and employers alike

In a competitive labor market, companies are using food as a differentiator, and employees are taking notice.

According to ezCater’s Food for Work Report, 52% of employees say free or subsidized food is the most valuable workplace perk, ranking higher than flexible work arrangements (40%), educational benefits (21%), and wellness programs (20%).

Employers are also seeing the value. The same report indicates that food perks are proving to be an effective hiring tool, with 59% of companies saying they highlight meal benefits in their job listings.

Smart investments in workplace perks

Leading pharmaceutical organizations have found success with strategic meal programs that take the stress out of lunchtime while giving employees more choice. At BioAgilytix, a meal program helped eliminate the hassle of coordinating lunch for 400 employees while making sure everyone could get something they enjoyed. 

Vor Biopharma found that providing meal stipends went beyond covering the cost of lunch — it also brought teams together.

“[Employees] love working around the schedules for our set catering days because not only is the food delicious and they love the variety of options, but they also like the opportunity to have those water cooler moments and lunchtime conversations,” said Samantha Riley, former Administrative Assistant

Optimizing food perks in pharma 

For pharmaceutical companies seeking to enhance workplace culture and update their work perks, meal programs offer a proven approach to supporting employee well-being and fostering team collaboration. Learn how ezCater can help deliver this most valuable perk to your employees.