The Best Job Perks That Will Attract Top Talent in B.C. in 2025

In 2025, hiring and keeping top talent in British Columbia is tougher than ever. Remote work is growing fast. At the same time, employees want more from their jobs. Many are searching for better work-life balance and more flexible options. Because of this, companies in B.C. are reworking their job offers to stay competitive and keep their best people. Today, a high salary alone is not enough. People want benefits that fit their values and support their daily lives. They also want job perks that help them grow and plan for the future. To stay competitive, employers need to offer flexible, meaningful, and personalized job perks.

So, which perks really matter in 2025? In the next section, we’ll look at the top benefits that help companies stand out. These job perks also help keep great employees for the long term.

Flexible and Hybrid Work Arrangements

Remote and hybrid work is now the rule, not the exception. Employees across British Columbia have seen the benefits of working from home, from skipping long commutes to being able to manage personal commitments with more ease. In fact, a 2024 CBC report showed that 83% of Canadian workers prefer a hybrid or remote work model, and many job seekers won’t even consider roles that don’t offer some level of flexibility.

Companies like Shopify and Telus were early adopters of digital-first models. These approaches prioritize results over time spent in the office. As a result, flexible work has become the norm—especially in B.C.’s tech hubs like Vancouver. Today, it’s no longer a bonus. It’s a must-have for attracting top talent from cities like Toronto, Seattle, and even international markets.

To stay competitive, employers don’t need to overhaul everything. Instead, they can start with small, meaningful changes—like offering “work from anywhere” weeks, no-meeting Fridays, or flexible hours.

Over time, these simple perks can lead to major gains in employee satisfaction and retention.

Mental Health and Wellness Support

Wellness isn’t just yoga mats and free snacks anymore. BC-based companies are significantly upping their game by providing holistic wellness support, especially post-pandemic. According to an industry-wide study by TELUS Health (formerly Morneau Shepell), mental health remains one of the top concerns for Canadian employees.

Leading employers now offer expanded health benefits that include:

• On-demand therapy with registered professionals
• Access to wellness apps like Calm or Headspace
• Wellness spending accounts that can be used for classes, equipment, or holistic treatments
• Company-wide mental health days and digital detox initiatives

Companies like Hootsuite and Lululemon, both headquartered in Vancouver, are recognized for prioritizing employee wellbeing—and it’s no coincidence they’re often named among B.C.’s top employers.

Equity and Profit Sharing

In the fast-paced world of tech and startups, equity has become one of the most attractive job perks. More than ever, employees are looking for more than just a paycheck—they want to feel like true partners in the business.

Consequently, many companies now offer stock options, profit-sharing plans, or phantom shares. These types of benefits not only give employees a sense of ownership, but also foster a strong culture of loyalty and long-term commitment.

Take Clio, for example—a legal tech company based in Burnaby. By offering both stock options and profit-sharing, Clio has been able to attract top talent from the tech, business, and legal sectors.

Moreover, equity can be a particularly powerful incentive in high-cost regions like Metro Vancouver. By providing a pathway to wealth-building, it helps employees feel more secure while giving companies a competitive edge in both hiring and retention.

Professional Development and Learning Stipends

For ambitious employees, continuous growth is a priority. In fact, a 2023 LinkedIn survey revealed that over 70% of workers would consider leaving a job if they didn’t have opportunities to learn or advance.

To address this, many companies now provide paid courses, learning stipends, or even sabbaticals. These offerings help keep top performers motivated, engaged, and invested in their roles.

Some of the most common options include:

• Annual education reimbursements

• Access to online learning platforms such as Coursera or Udemy

• Time off to attend industry events and conferences

• Mentorship and leadership development programs

Notably, this kind of support is especially attractive to Gen Z and younger millennials. For many of them, learning is not just a perk—it’s the fastest route to job satisfaction and long-term career growth.

Enhanced Parental and Family Support

By 2025, family-focused benefits are no longer just a “nice to have”—they’re expected. With more employees balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, companies are stepping up to meet their needs.

As a result, leading employers in B.C. now offer a range of supportive programs, including:

• Parental leave top-ups beyond government minimums

• Onsite or subsidized child care

• Fertility and adoption assistance

• Paid “returnship” programs for those re-entering the workforce after extended leave

For instance, BC Hydro and the University of British Columbia have implemented robust family-friendly policies. Thanks to these efforts, both organizations are consistently ranked among the top employers in the province.

Environmental and Purpose-Driven Benefits

As concern for climate change and social impact continues to grow, more employees—especially millennials and Gen Z—are seeking workplaces that reflect their values. In this new landscape, purpose-driven benefits are becoming essential, not optional.

To meet this demand, companies are increasingly offering perks that promote sustainability and social responsibility, such as:

• Volunteer days or paid volunteer time off (VTO)

• Carbon offset programs for business travel

• Employee resource groups focused on inclusion and equity

• Matching donations to nonprofits chosen by employees

Notably, organizations like MEC and Vancity have built strong employer brands by embracing these values. As a result, they’ve earned the loyalty of passionate employees and enjoy a positive public reputation.

Unique Lifestyle Perks Tailored to the B.C. Lifestyle

Let’s not forget where we are—British Columbia is a paradise for cycling, hiking, snowboarding, and ocean kayaking. Because of that, smart employers are leaning into the local lifestyle. They know that offering perks that fit the B.C. way of life makes a big difference.

For example, this could include:

• Outdoor gear allowances

• Transit passes or e-bike subsidies

• “Powder day” policies, so staff can hit the slopes after fresh snowfall

• Dog-friendly offices or pet insurance for pet owners

In other words, companies are finding ways to match their benefits with the local culture. By doing so, they show they truly understand what makes living in B.C. special. As a result, they have a big advantage when it comes to attracting talent—whether from across Canada or around the world.

Conclusion: Perks That Prioritize People

The competition for talent in B.C. will only intensify in 2025, and the best job perks will be those that put people first. Flexibility, mental wellness, ownership opportunities, career growth, family support, environmental values, and lifestyle alignment—these are no longer just benefits. They’re expectations.

If you’re an employer in British Columbia looking to stand out in the market, now is the time to evaluate your job perks through the lens of today’s job seekers. The right mix of thoughtful benefits will not only attract top performers but also help retain and inspire the team you’ve already built.

Looking to dive deeper into what employees really want? Explore this Glassdoor guide on modern employee perks and Canada’s Top 100 Employers list to get inspired by the best in the country.

 About the Author

Simon Chou is the Advisor and CEO at BCjobs.ca. Over the course of his career, he carved a niche in brand development, marketing strategy, and online presence for startups. In Addition to BCJobs.ca, Simon is hosting unfiltered conversations with marketing experts in our podcast “Marketing On Mars”. Tune into our last episode to hear from Marketing Leaders how they approach work and how they grew in their careers.