10 Common Work Perks That Most Employees Never Use
According to workplace surveys, the average employee only uses about 60% of their available benefits. That means nearly half of the perks your employer offers are going completely to waste. Here are the most commonly overlooked ones — and what you can do with them.
1. 🎫 Event Tickets & Experience Passes
Typical value: $50–$300 per event
Many companies buy blocks of tickets to concerts, sporting events, and shows. When employees don't claim them, they expire unused. Check your company's intranet or HR portal — you might have access to premium events you didn't know about.
2. 🏋️ Gym Memberships & Fitness Stipends
Typical value: $30–$150/month
Fitness benefits are among the most underused perks. Many include guest passes or family add-ons that are perfect for sharing. If you're not hitting the gym, someone else could benefit from those guest passes.
3. 📚 Learning & Development Budgets
Typical value: $500–$5,000/year
Companies often allocate annual learning budgets for courses, conferences, and certifications. Most employees never touch this money. While the budget itself isn't transferable, you can share course recommendations and referral links.
4. 📱 Streaming & Software Subscriptions
Typical value: $10–$50/month
Many employers bundle streaming services, news subscriptions, or productivity tools. If your plan includes family sharing (like Spotify Family or Apple One), you could share those extra slots with someone who'd appreciate them.
5. 🛍️ Employee Discount Programs
Typical value: 10–50% off retail
Companies like large retailers, tech firms, and hospitality brands offer significant employee discounts. If you're not using yours for electronics, travel, or merchandise, someone in your community might love access to those deals.
6. 🧠 Mental Health & Wellness Benefits
Typical value: $500–$2,000/year
EAP (Employee Assistance Programs), meditation app subscriptions, and wellness stipends often go unclaimed. While therapy sessions are personal, wellness app family plans can sometimes be shared.
7. 🚗 Commuter Benefits & Transit Passes
Typical value: $100–$300/month
Pre-tax transit benefits, parking stipends, and bike-sharing memberships are common — especially in urban areas. If you work remote or drive, your transit pass is sitting unused.
8. 🎁 Rewards Points & Recognition Credits
Typical value: $25–$500/year
Many companies use platforms like Bonusly or Achievers where you earn points redeemable for gift cards and merchandise. These points often expire if you don't use them.
9. 👕 Company Merchandise & Swag
Typical value: $20–$200
From branded backpacks to premium jackets, company swag can actually be worth decent money. If you have extras sitting in your closet, they could make someone else's day.
10. 🏨 Travel & Hospitality Perks
Typical value: Varies widely
Hotel discounts, airline status matches, car rental codes, and corporate travel rates are some of the most valuable perks employees overlook. If you're not traveling for work, these are gold for someone planning a vacation.
💡 The takeaway: Before you let another perk expire, consider listing it on BenefitsFromBenefits. What's unused to you could be invaluable to someone else — and you earn a reward in return.
What Should You Do Next?
- Audit your benefits — Log into your company's HR portal and see what you're actually enrolled in
- Identify what you don't use — Be honest about which perks just sit there month after month
- Check transferability — Read our guide to sharing safely
- List it — Share what you can on BenefitsFromBenefits and earn rewards
Stop letting perks go to waste
List your unused benefits anonymously and earn rewards from people who'll actually use them.
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