Don't Agree to Work for a Company That Doesn't Offer These 10 Financial Benefits

If you're in the market for a new job -- and a lot of people are these days -- you're probably most focused on the salary you'll make at your chosen position.

While income is important, it's worth taking a minute to consider the other financial benefits the company's offering. Not only can these benefits be essential depending on your life circumstances, but they can also tell you a lot about the culture of your potential employer.

Keep reading to see 10 benefits you should look for at your next job.

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Probably the most sought-after workplace benefit is health insurance. While the Affordable Care Act made it relatively easy for individuals to get their own health insurance, you're still better off having your employer foot at least some of the bill.

Monthly health insurance premiums can top $1,000 just for an individual, and rates go higher for a family. Even if you're a twentysomething who never goes to the doctor, you're going to need healthcare at some point in your life, and good insurance can save you on unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

ALSO READ: 15 Ways to Find the Best Health Insurance This Year

Who wouldn't like a vacation?

While two weeks might be the standard for U.S. companies, not every employer even offers paid vacation time. Paid time off is essentially free money from your employer, and you deserve to have a few weeks out of the year to relax and decompress.

Though "unlimited vacation days" have been popular with some organizations, make sure you ask how much time off employees actually take. At times, unlimited vacation can end up meaning no vacation.

Most employers will set up a 401(k) retirement account, but that alone isn't really much of a benefit. What really counts is matching.

Some employers will match contributions 1-to-1 or even 2-to-1, encouraging employees to build their retirement funds.

If you're young, maxing out your retirement fund may not seem like one of your top financial goals, but 401(k) matchings funds are essentially free money, and in some ways they're even more valuable because they will grow over time.

ALSO READ: What Is a 401(k) and How Do They Work

If you're thinking of having a baby anytime in the near future, parental leave is probably is most important benefit you can get, especially if your prospective employer offers four or five months of leave. Having that time away from work can make the adjustment to a new baby much smoother, and give you time to unplug from work and focus on your family, while still collecting a paycheck.

If you're not getting ready to be a parent, a good leave policy is still a positive sign for the company culture, and it shows that it knows how to create boundaries between work and family life.

It also makes it more likely that it will offer other pro-family policies like bereavement leave.

Health insurance isn't the only kind of health benefit you should be looking for. Paid sick days are another way an employer can support your health and make sure you don't come to work sick, therefore jeopardizing the health of your co-workers.

Your employer might offer just five sick days a year, but that should give you comfort to know that you can take time to get better if you need to and know you'll get paid.

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The most controversial policy in the workplace these days may be remote work as companies are still torn about bringing back workers while the pandemic is still ongoing.

While there are reasons why some companies may be opposed to remote work, if you're a white-collar worker, having at least the option to work remotely is a valuable benefit. You can travel for an event like a wedding or stay at home with a sick child if you need to.

The flexibility of a remote work option should be helpful to almost any type of employee.

ALSO READ: Why Remote Work Isn't Going Anywhere in 2022

Who's stocking the fridge at work?

Is it you or is it your boss?

Though free food might seem as if it's more of a cultural value in the workplace, it can also be an important benefit, saving you both time and money from having to prepare food or go out and buy lunch yourself.

It's also worth checking on an allowance for dinner if you have to stay late at a project.

Free food is an easy way for companies to build camaraderie and bring people together, and it shouldn't be overlooked when considering an employer's benefits.

Increasingly, mental health benefits are becoming commonplace in the corporate world and for good reason. Providing adequate mental health can help employees do a better job at work and reduce absenteeism.

One of the ways employers can support mental health is by giving workers personal days. These are days that can be taken off for any reason of your choosing, including a "mental health day."

Sometimes, taking sick days requires getting a doctor's note, while personal days have no such requirements. You never know when you might need one.

ALSO READ: How to Build a Good Vacation Policy

Another health-related benefit becoming popular in the workplace is fitness perks. That could include a gym membership reimbursement, workout classes on-site, or even an event like a Tough Mudder race to do with co-workers.

Paying for employee workouts helps keep other medical costs down, and they are a good way to boost morale and provide an occasional break from work.

As a benefit, they also provide a lot of "bang for the buck" as they are relatively inexpensive to provide.

Professional development may not be the first thing you think of when you think about workplace benefits, but it's one of the most sought-after perks by corporate employees.

Workers want more than a paycheck. They want to learn new skills, stay up to date in their field, and be prepared to be promoted.

Professional development can also help companies develop a pipeline of qualified managers, or build the company from the inside rather than look for outside hires.

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If you're considering looking for a new job, now's a great time to be in the market for one. The unemployment rate is still near an all-time low, and much of the country is still experiencing labor shortages.

While higher interest rates could put the brakes on the job market, there are still some choice perks available from employers.

You may not be able to find all of these benefits at one employer, but the list here is a good start to know what to look for.

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