A unique employee benefit that people actually use
Most benefits packages look alike, and many perks go unused because they require someone to book, claim or remember something. If you want a unique, low-cost employee benefit that also supports health and team connection, give people something they can join in one tap and use every day: a company step challenge with rewards.
Get StartedWhy so many employee benefits go unused
A gym subsidy helps the people who already go to the gym. An employee assistance program matters, but most staff never open it. A discount portal is forgotten after onboarding. The pattern is the same each time: the benefit waits for the employee to act. We wrote about this in what HR gets wrong about employee wellness perks. Benefits that get used come to the employee, fit into what they already do, and are social.
What makes a benefit feel unique
- It is visible. People see colleagues using it, so it becomes part of the culture instead of a line in the handbook.
- It is shared. A benefit you enjoy with your team feels different from a voucher you redeem alone.
- It rewards people. Small, frequent rewards feel more generous than a large benefit nobody claims.
- It fits every role. Office staff, field teams, shift workers and remote employees can all use it.
The step challenge as an employee benefit
Walking is the most accessible form of physical activity there is, and public-health guidance recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week for adults. A company challenge turns that into a benefit with a social layer:
- Health habit. Daily steps tracked from the phone, with nudges that keep people moving.
- Team connection. Team and department leaderboards give people a reason to talk across the org chart.
- Real rewards. Gift-card rewards for participation and results, set once by the organiser. See how rewards work.
- Privacy by design. Movemint collects activity metrics only (steps, distance, calories), stores employee data in Canada, and shows administrators aggregate engagement rather than personal detail.
Low-cost employee benefit ideas to pair with it
- Walking meetings as an official meeting format.
- A monthly wellness hour employees can take on work time.
- Recognition from leadership for challenge milestones.
- Flexible start times on challenge weeks so people can walk to work.
- A charity pledge tied to the company's collective distance.
Employee wellness program ideas built around the challenge
If you are building an employee wellness program from scratch, start with one activity that everyone can join and repeat it each quarter with a new theme: a destination walk in winter, a department rivalry in spring, a charity challenge in summer, a "most improved" challenge in fall. Layer education and mental-health resources on top. A program with a heartbeat of regular challenges gets far more use than a catalogue of perks.
What it costs
Movemint is a flat $1.50 USD per employee per month, billed monthly. The rewards budget is separate and yours to set. Use the step challenge cost calculator to see the total for your headcount, or compare options in how to choose a corporate step challenge app.
Run your first challenge this month
Movemint runs company step challenges with team and department leaderboards, motivational push notifications and gift-card rewards, on iOS, Android and the web, in English and French. $1.50 USD per employee per month, billed monthly.
Get StartedRelated guides: Employee engagement activities · Team building activities for work
Movemint is a new product, so this page describes capabilities and practical advice, not customer results. We do not show logos or testimonials we have not earned.
Frequently asked questions
What are some unique employee benefits for a small business?
Benefits that are social and used daily stand out most: a team step challenge with rewards, walking meetings, a monthly wellness hour and leadership recognition for team milestones. They cost little and are visible across the company.
What are low-cost incentives I can offer employees?
Small, frequent rewards tied to participation work well: gift cards for challenge milestones, public recognition and extra flexibility during challenge weeks. Movemint handles gift-card rewards once you set them.
Is a step challenge a real employee benefit?
Yes, when it is offered as an ongoing program rather than a one-off. It supports physical health, social connection and engagement, and unlike many perks, most employees actually use it.
What employee data does Movemint collect?
Activity metrics only: steps, distance and calories. Employee data is stored in Canada, and administrators see aggregate engagement, not an individual's detailed personal data.
How much does it cost to add Movemint as a benefit?
A flat $1.50 USD per employee per month, billed monthly. The rewards budget is separate and set by you.