The biscuits are back.

Is there a turnaround in business confidence? Are we seeing more employee movement as people finally explore new job opportunities? Are people going to work with a little more spring in their step?

Yes, because the biscuits are back.

Surely the pool and ping pong table, along with the massages and Friday drinks can’t be too far behind. It’s a cautious movement but I see the rice crackers changing into shortbread creams all the way to my favourite mint slices.

From a company viewpoint it is always a hard decision, when a crunch comes along, to decide what to cut out, especially when taking into account people’s feelings and expectations about their work environment. Too often items, management thinks are taken for granted are the first to go. Unfortunately people think it’s their inalienable right that staff perks include only the best of everything, after all, they’re worth it. It’s a thin line to navigate and understanding is required from both sides.

So what to make of the great biscuit resurgence and did everyone cut out the soft stuff?

Not if you look at the latest BRW list of top companies to work for in Australia. A list heavily weighted to service and technology companies like NetApp, Google and Diageo. The absence of travel companies this year may suggest that we are still waiting for the biscuits to return.

The top companies are in that position because the biscuits never disappeared and in fact the trend for these companies show an 11% increase in unique benefits along with a 7% increase in employees saying theirs is a fun place to work. The top companies were prepared to take the risk in keeping benefits and understood the importance of staff morale in relation to company profits and employees retention. Perks are what people discuss when they talk about great work environments and management gains trust and great relationships because of them.

Along with health benefits like gym memberships, free flu inoculations, flexible work practices and philanthropic activities to make staff proud it may all seem a bit expensive, but the alternative of a bad place to work are worse.

So are your biscuits back or is time to consider a move to Arnotts.