Working in a contact centre can be intense. Between managing back-to-back calls, tight schedules, and juggling customer queries, it can all be a lot – which is what got us thinking… What are the coolest on-site perks contact centres can offer to help alleviate the strain?
We’re pleased to say we found some great examples of organizations around the world stepping up their game to create spaces that truly make coming to work more enjoyable, so let’s dive in!
The Top 5 Coolest On-Site Perks We’ve Seen Yet!
1. Bring Your Pet to Work (Google)
“Bring your child to work” day is a great idea, but why stop there? At Google’s campuses in San Francisco and Mountain View, employees are welcome to bring their furry friends to work every day.
Having your furry friend by your side all day can do wonders for your mood and is a brilliant way to make the office feel more like home. Studies have shown that interacting with animals can lower blood pressure and release endorphins, those feel-good chemicals. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter.
Those awkward “water cooler” moments can be easily broken by a quick “awww” over someone’s adorable pup. It’s a win–win – employees get a boost of happiness, and the office gets a whole lot cuter.
When we visited the Dogs Trust contact centre in Manchester, they also allowed dogs into the office. For more on this, read our article: 17 Interesting Initiatives From the Dogs Trust Contact Centre
2. Gourmet Cafeterias (Dropbox)
Forget sad desk lunches! At Dropbox, lunch is an experience and their Austin office boasts a cafeteria that’s more like a gourmet restaurant. Top chefs whip up everything from fresh salads to decadent desserts, so you’ll never have to settle for soggy sandwiches again.
And thanks to their generous budget, these chefs have the freedom to get creative. While many of us are stuck with the same old office lunch routine, Dropbox employees in San Francisco enjoy a brand new menu every single day.
Their impressive cafeteria, designed by the renowned firm AvroKO, spans a whopping 4,000 square feet and features a variety of stations: vegan, healthy options under 625 calories, sandwiches, and cuisines from around the world – Mediterranean, Indian, Asian, and more.
The “Dropbox Tuck Shop” even has its own Facebook page where you can drool over recent dishes like “molé kale bowls with roasted Brussels sprouts, lentils, and pickled red onion.” Now that’s a lunch perk worth bragging about!
3. Wellness Programmes (Zappos)
Zappos is all about looking after its people. Its wellness programmes are a total dream, with yoga classes, meditation rooms, and even nap pods (yes, nap pods!).
It’s a place designed for pure relaxation and recharging, whether that’s through a peaceful meditation session or a quick snooze in a pod.
One of their most notable programmes is their music feature, where they partnered with legendary guitar maker Fender for a new programme called “Strum for the Sole.”
The jam room is fully equipped with instruments, and employees can use Fender Play, an app with step-by-step music lessons for guitar, bass, and ukulele, all for free for over 1,500 Zappos employees in their jam room at their Las Vegas headquarters.
If you are looking for award-winning tips to improve your wellbeing strategy, read our article: 10 Wellbeing Tips From an Award-Winning Contact Centre
4. Inspiring Architecture (OVO Energy)
OVO Energy in Bristol, UK, really took things up a notch with their office! They actually built a treehouse right in the foyer!
This isn’t just any treehouse – it’s a real architectural gem created by Bower House Construction, designed by Shankari Edgar of Nudge Architects. The treehouse is a brilliant example of how inventive spaces can uplift employee morale, while adding a touch of whimsy to the workplace.
Of course, not every company can build a treehouse – it takes time and money. But it’s a great example of what’s possible.
Even small changes, like adding some colour or a unique design element, can make a big difference in how employees feel. It can foster creativity and make the workplace a more enjoyable place to be.
You could even look at how your agents’ desks are laid out. For the pros and cons of each office style, read our article: The Best Desk Layouts for the Contact Centre
5. On-Site Nurseries (Barclays)
Less than an hour from Manhattan, the Barclays site in Whippany now houses 1,500 colleagues amongst 63 acres of campus houses, featuring a fitness centre and a very particular game-changer: on-site nurseries.
Imagine dropping your kids off just a short stroll away from your desk. No stressful commutes to childcare and back, worrying about being late for pick-up – it’s all sorted. That’s a win–win for work–life balance.
Plus, it’s a huge perk for parents navigating the tricky world of juggling work and family life. With this set-up, Barclays is showing they’re serious about supporting their employees in every aspect of their lives.
Most people are quite dubious about corporation towns, but from what we’ve heard of this one so far, it doesn’t seem so bad. Could we be seeing more of this in the years to come?
There are a number of other ways to support working parents. For advice, read our article: Build a Parent-Friendly Contact Centre
What’s the Big Deal About On-Site Perks?
When it comes to contact centres, attracting and retaining top talent goes beyond competitive salaries and benefits.
The perks offered on-site play a crucial role in creating a positive work environment that drives engagement, satisfaction, and long-term loyalty.
Here’s why perks are so important:
- They help employees stay energized. Perks can create a work culture where employees are excited to show up every day. When people feel recognized and valued, they’re more motivated to give their best.
- They support a healthy work–life balance. Perks like flexible schedules or wellness programmes show employees that their personal lives matter, too. This balance reduces burnout and leads to happier, more engaged employees.
- They keep spirits high. Little things like snack stations or fun team-building activities can make a big difference. These perks help maintain a positive, supportive atmosphere where everyone feels like part of the team.
- They will make your company stand out. Unique perks – whether it’s an impressive break room or career growth opportunities – can make your contact centre a top choice for job seekers, giving you an edge over competitors.
- They boost productivity. Perks don’t just keep people happy – they can also help them work better. When employees feel supported, they’re more likely to stay focused and perform at their peak.
Perks are powerful tools that create a thriving workplace culture, build loyalty, and make contact centres a place where employees are motivated, valued, and ready to perform at their best.
Make Employees Feel Valued by Making the Workday More Enjoyable
Great perks can make all the difference in helping employees feel valued by making the workday more enjoyable and showing, as a company, that you actually care about your people.
Whether it’s fun stuff like slides and gaming lounges or more practical perks like nurseries and health clinics, company benefits make work feel a little less like, well, work.
And it’s not just about perks for perks’ sake – it’s about creating an environment where employees thrive, which ultimately benefits the company too.
After all, when you take care of your employees, everybody wins!
If you want to see what other contact centres are doing, read these articles from our site visits to find out more:
- Behind the Scenes at Ocado – 21 Simply Soup-erb Ideas
- 15 Ideas You Can Use From Bupa’s Contact Centre
- 10 Ideas We Heard at the Leeds Building Society Contact Centre
Author: Stephanie Lennox
Reviewed by: Xander Freeman
Published On: 19th Mar 2025
Read more about - Call Centre Management, Employee Engagement, Incentives, Reward and Recognition, Stephanie Lennox, Top Story, Well Being
