Perkwashing: The Hiring Trend Promising Job Benefits That May Not Exist

As more people begin to explore other career paths, companies are becoming keenly aware of the need to divvy up their offerings to retain — and attract — employees. These days, providing a competitive salary doesn't cut it for many job hunters who know they can find the same offer elsewhere. This is where perks are coming into play, but applicants now need to be on the lookout for a growing practice known as perkwashing. As it turns out, an offer from an employer that seems too good to be true might be just that. "A close cousin of wellbeing washing, perkwashing is when companies attract employees through impressive company benefits policies (like flexible working) which aren't actually offered in practice, or only go skin deep," Ally Fekaiki, CEO and founder at flexible employee benefits platform Juno, explained to Stylist.

If you become excited at the prospect of free snacks at the office, a designated donut day, or a flexible work-from-home schedule, you may be more vulnerable to perkwashing. Unfortunately, many of the perks you're offered during the interview process might not pan out once you arrive, according to Finextra. In some cases, the perks may not be in place at all, while in other instances, there may be a mountain of fine print. That being said, there are a few ways you can spot perkwashing before you accept a job offer.

Depending on why you're job hunting, you might feel more pressure to take an offer than others. If you were just laid off, for example, it may be necessary to be more open to job offers to sustain your income. However, you might have more flexibility if you're simply scouting other opportunities to see how you can broaden your career. In any case, accepting an offer based on its perks alone is never a good idea, especially if they involve critical benefits such as healthcare.

One way you can ensure that you aren't being perkwashed is to ask questions about potential benefits during the interview process. This means coming into the hiring process knowing that you have a right to understand what the company is offering you. Ultimately, this can also help you when it comes time to evaluate what you can get from one employer versus another that has given you an offer. If an employer making you an offer says that medical benefits are included, ask for details – how much of the benefits will be funded by the company? Will you be able to receive these benefits as soon as you sign on with the business?

The perks that you value most should be scrutinized closely as well. For instance, if you know that you work best from home, don't hesitate to ask a potential employer about its remote work policy.

If you've been out of the job-hunting game for a bit and you're unsure of concepts like perkwashing, there are a few red flags you can keep in mind. Knowing what to look for once an employer makes you an offer can save you valuable time and let you know when to move on.

One perk that you might want to think hard about before accepting an offer is unlimited time off. While it may seem like a no-brainer, some employers adopt this policy to avoid having to pay lost vacation time to departing employees or those who fail to use it (via Inc.). If you're the type of person who feels guilty for taking time off when needed, this also isn't the best arrangement for you. Another perk that you may want to view skeptically is the office space itself. For instance, if it's wide open and you know you work best away from chattering colleagues, the job may simply not be a good fit.

As you do your due diligence, don't be afraid to hop online and see what others are saying about a potential employer that has made an offer. Many former employees are often willing to provide details on what they enjoyed — and didn't enjoy — while working with a company.