By Michelle Fox -
CNCB + Acorns
When Michelle Warren traveled to the Galapagos Islands for 10 days this spring, her bosses helped her pay for the trip.
It's one of the many benefits offered by his employer, Denver, Colorado-based tech company FullContact.
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Warren is not the only one.
Although paid vacation days are a highly sought-after benefit, some companies go further and give workers money to help offset the cost of their travel.
Warren, who traveled with her husband, father and stepmother, received $7,000 toward the cost of her vacation.
“Going to the Galapagos really changed my life,” said Warren, 38.
She and her husband, Jeremy, wanted to do something big and celebrate after they both got their master's degrees.
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“The FullContact bonus allowed us to do that in a very meaningful way for us as a family,” Warren noted.
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On each work anniversary, employees receive a vacation bonus, the amount of which depends on each person's seniority.
It starts with $2,000 and peaks at $7,000 by the third year.
The employee must also have a good performance record.
As the company's vice president of global human resources, Warren understands the impact bonuses have on both employees and the company.
“It creates commitment, motivation for work and energy knowing that they can totally disconnect,” he explained.
"It's about that real re-energizing, rest [and] relaxation, which then helps them come back in a positive way and continue with all that work," he added.
Paid vacation days are part of a comprehensive benefits package that includes unlimited vacation days and 26 company holidays.
Warren believes these benefits help the company in the war for talent, especially considering that it has to compete with the tech giants.
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FullContact boasts an 85% retention rate, which Warren says is "astonishing during the Great Resignation and in the tech industry in particular."
In addition to FullContact, the employment website FlexJobs recently highlighted nine other companies that help pay for their workers' vacations.
This is the list:
Airbnb: Employees receive $2,000 in Airbnb travel credit each year.
It is distributed quarterly and can be used to book stays or experiences on the platform.
BambooHR: The company offers employees $2,000 a year for vacation expenses, such as hotel rooms and plane tickets.
Calendly: The company gives each employee a $1,000 annual travel stipend, which can be used for hotels, flights, transportation, or even local activities to help get through the pandemic.
Evernote: The company offers employees a $1,000 annual vacation stipend.
Expedia: Employees are reimbursed for travel and wellness-related expenses between $1,250 and $1,750 a year, depending on seniority.
Workers can also receive additional funds in their reimbursement accounts based on certain employment milestones and can also receive travel awards in recognition of exceptional work.
In addition, they receive discounts on shopping and travel packages purchased through the brand's sites.
FullContact: The company provides up to $7,000 a year for employees to travel.
The amount depends on the seniority.
PulsePoint: Employees are reimbursed $500 annually for vacation travel.
Thirty Madison: Employees are entitled to an annual vacation stipend of $750 on their first day of hire.
It can be redeemed once the employee has taken a vacation of five or more consecutive days.
TripAdvisor: TripAdvisor reimburses personal travel, among other things, as part of its global lifestyle benefit.
The amount paid for the various eligible services and products is based on years of service and ranges from $1,250 to $1,750 per year.
United Airlines: Employees receive unlimited standby travel and reduced fares on airline tickets anywhere United flies.
To land a job that offers the perks you want, like travel money, first make a list of your values and exactly what you're looking for in an employer, suggests Toni Frana, manager of career services at FlexJobs.
Then start researching websites like FlexJobs or Glassdoor for companies that fit what you're looking for.
Even check out company websites, which can detail their benefits packages.
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Rank companies to help narrow down your goals and start networking.
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“Connecting with the people who work there can help you get in touch with the right people,” says Frana.
"You may even discover that there are positions available that are not yet posted," he added.
Making a plan to ensure you unplug during that much-needed vacation time is key.
Make sure everyone on your team knows what's going on and how their work can be covered in your absence, Frana suggests.
Prioritize the tasks that need to be done before you walk out the door.
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“If you set yourself up for success before you leave, you'll have more success unplugging when you're gone,” Frana said.
This article is part of the
Invest in You: Ready series.
Set.
Grow
(Invest in you: Ready. Ready. Grow), an initiative of CNBC and Acorns, the micro-investing app.
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