From paid vacations and surrogacy support to mortgage rate buyouts and music festivals, explore 6 unique employee benefits companies are offering in 2025 to attract and retain top talent.
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Surrogacy, Mortgage Help, Even Music Festivals: 6 Unusual Employee Perks for 2025
In 2025, employee expectations are reshaping the way companies think about workplace benefits. Gone are the days when healthcare, 401(k) matching, and paid vacation alone were enough to entice top talent. Today’s workers — particularly younger generations — are seeking perks that reflect their personal values, financial realities, and lifestyle aspirations.
According to the 2024 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey, the number of unique benefits offered by employers has surged by 23% since 2022. As businesses navigate a competitive talent market, niche perks like free college tuition, surrogacy assistance, and music festival retreats are no longer just nice-to-haves — they’re strategic tools for recruitment, retention, and culture-building.
Here are six standout perks that are redefining workplace culture in 2025.
1. 🎓 Free College Tuition for Employees & Families
JBS USA, a leading global food company, is breaking barriers with its free higher education program for both employees and their families. Partnering with more than 60 colleges across the U.S., Canada, and online platforms, the initiative covers 100% of tuition and certificate costs — no strings attached.
“It not only helps employees avoid education debt, but also helps transform and upskill our workforce,” says Juriana Sperandio, Global CHRO at JBS.
Originally designed for dependents, the program has unexpectedly attracted over 2,500 employees eager to return to school, complete degrees, or pursue certifications that can propel their careers forward.
✅ Why It Works:
- Promotes long-term employee development
- Attracts career-minded talent
- Reduces financial stress related to education
- Strengthens family-oriented company culture
2. 👶 Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance
Power Home Remodeling understands that building a family can be as financially challenging as it is emotionally rewarding. That’s why they introduced a lifetime $15,000 reimbursement benefit to support adoption and surrogacy journeys.
“We want every team member to feel empowered to build the family they envision — without the financial stress,” says Hollie Delaney, Chief People Officer.
The program is inclusive of all genders, marital statuses, and sexual orientations, and covers a broad range of expenses including:
- Legal fees
- Medical procedures
- Agency costs
This holistic approach recognizes that there’s no single path to parenthood — and affirms the company’s commitment to supporting all families.
✅ Why It Works:
- Enhances inclusivity
- Supports family-building for LGBTQ+ employees
- Helps retain mid-career workers starting families
- Boosts employee morale and loyalty
3. 🏡 Mortgage Rate Buyouts
With home prices skyrocketing and interest rates climbing, homeownership has become nearly impossible for many full-time workers. Recognizing this, Cyber Guardian, a U.S.-based cybersecurity firm, offers to buy down up to 3% of an employee’s mortgage interest rate.
“Making people feel genuinely valued means identifying what makes the most real-world impact,” says CEO Nick Martin.
This policy can mean tens of thousands of dollars in long-term savings and has helped Cyber Guardian achieve a near 100% retention rate over four years.
✅ Why It Works:
- Makes homeownership more accessible
- Eases the financial burden of rising interest rates
- Demonstrates long-term commitment to employees
- Enhances company loyalty and trust
4. ✈️ Paid Vacations — With a Travel Stipend
It’s no secret that many American workers don’t take their full vacation time, often due to financial constraints. In fact, 768 million PTO days went unused in a single year.
BambooHR addresses this gap by giving each employee a $2,000 annual travel stipend to actually use their PTO.
“We believe rest isn’t just allowed — it’s essential,” says Wende Smith, Head of People Operations.
Employees are free to use the stipend for:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Travel activities
- Wellness retreats
This perk ensures that time off becomes meaningful, restorative, and more than just a box to check.
✅ Why It Works:
- Encourages real disconnection from work
- Prevents burnout and improves mental health
- Boosts creativity and innovation
- Reinforces company values around well-being
5. ❤️ Inclusive Health Benefits for Domestic Partners
While many companies provide spousal coverage, Bradford Health Services is among those extending medical benefits to domestic partners, regardless of marital status or gender.
“This isn’t just for LGBTQ employees — it supports anyone in a committed relationship,” says Mitchell Jeffery, Sr. Director of HR.
With over 8 million unmarried-partner households in the U.S., this move acknowledges modern relationships and ensures that all committed couples receive equal support.
✅ Why It Works:
- Supports diverse family structures
- Reflects modern social realities
- Promotes inclusivity and equality
- Enhances employee satisfaction and retention
6. 🎶 Music Festival Meets Company Retreat: Welcome to Quest
Forget boring corporate getaways. Power Home Remodeling invites its employees to Quest, a three-day, all-expenses-paid music festival and retreat in Mexico. The goal? Celebrate people and foster real human connection.
“95% of our employees feel a strong sense of community. That’s the power of Quest,” says Delaney.
The event is part-celebration, part-culture-builder, and entirely focused on employee appreciation. Through music, community, and immersive experiences, Power is turning work into something that resonates on a personal level.
✅ Why It Works:
- Builds lasting team bonds
- Combats workplace isolation and loneliness
- Creates strong emotional ties to the company
- Makes employees feel celebrated and seen
🌍 The Common Thread: Human-Centered Benefits
What do these benefits have in common? They go beyond the basics and meet employees where they are — as humans, not just workers.
Whether it’s helping an employee:
- Afford a home
- Build a family
- Return to school
- Take a real break
- Or simply feel connected
…these perks all prioritize real-world impact over office perks like ping pong tables or free snacks.
“Some of the most impactful benefits don’t cost anything extra,” says Bradford’s Jeffery. “They’re about rethinking policies to reflect how people actually live.”
🏆 What Is USA TODAY Top Workplaces 2025?
Each year, USA TODAY and Energage partner to recognize organizations across the U.S. that excel in employee experience, culture, and benefits. In 2025, over 1,500 companies earned the “Top Workplace” designation — a testament to the growing emphasis on building organizations where people truly want to work.
If your company is ahead of the curve, now’s the time to nominate it and gain national recognition.
🙋♀️ FAQ: Unusual Employee Benefits in 2025
❓ Are companies really offering surrogacy assistance now?
Yes. Companies like Power Home Remodeling are providing up to $15,000 in lifetime reimbursement for surrogacy and adoption-related costs.
❓ How does a mortgage rate buyout benefit work?
Some companies, like Cyber Guardian, buy down part of the interest rate on employees’ home loans — making monthly payments more affordable and saving tens of thousands over time.
❓ Is a travel stipend different from regular PTO?
Yes. Travel stipends are in addition to PTO and are meant to help employees afford actual vacations — covering expenses like flights and hotels.
❓ Are free college tuition programs only for employees?
Not always. JBS USA offers 100% tuition coverage to both employees and their dependents through partnerships with 60+ institutions.
❓ What is Quest and why do companies invest in music festival-style retreats?
Quest is a unique, fully paid, three-day music festival hosted by Power. It’s designed to build community and celebrate employees, which has been shown to improve retention, morale, and mental well-being.
