In the competitive world of software development, finding a balance between a demanding career and family responsibilities can be quite challenging. Often, the pressure to deliver results competes with the need to be present for family milestones.
At Devōt, we’re committed to helping our team manage both work and family life by offering employee benefits with a special focus on family-friendly benefits. These initiatives provide financial assistance and ensure you can fully engage with your career and your loved ones—without compromises.
Having recently returned from maternity leave, I know just how important it is to have real support from your workplace when balancing family life and career. In this blog, we’ll explore how family benefits can make a difference and why they matter in the tech industry.
Devōt family benefits
1. Paid kindergarten expenses: Easing the financial load
Childcare expenses are a significant concern for many parents, especially in Croatia, where affordable options can be limited, and the financial burden of childcare can add to the stress of balancing work with family life.
Our paid kindergarten expenses benefit is an important part of our employee benefits package because it covers the monthly fees for your child’s kindergarten. This allows you to focus on your professional responsibilities without worrying about the financial impact. Whether you have one child or several, these benefits extend to all of your little ones.
Why this matters for our developers
Employee benefits are essential for reducing daily stress and supporting well-being. With benefits like assistance for childcare costs, you can focus fully on your projects and enjoy a greater work-life balance.
Research from the Harvard Business Review emphasizes that family support is crucial for job performance; when employees feel secure at home, they can engage more effectively in their work.
2. Time off for milestones: Being there for key family moments
Life is full of special moments, and as a parent, you want to be present during those moments—especially the big milestones like the first day of kindergarten or the transition to elementary school.
At Devōt, we recognize the importance of these events and offer dedicated time off for these occasions. You’ll receive a day off to celebrate your child’s first day of kindergarten (every year) and another for their first year of elementary school.
These days are about more than just time off; they represent our belief that being present for your child’s development is essential.
The importance of flexibility in your employee benefits
The demands in senior roles can be high, and time often feels scarce. By offering dedicated time off for important family milestones, Devōt supports a balance that keeps you engaged both at work and at home. This flexibility highlights the value of employee benefits, allowing you to return to your projects refreshed and knowing you were there for your child during those essential moments.
3. Newborn bonus: Financial support during life’s biggest changes
Welcoming a new child into your family is one of life’s most exciting and rewarding experiences. However, it often comes with its share of financial demands, especially in those early months when costs can quickly add up.
In Croatia, the cost of raising a child can be substantial, particularly during those early months. To support you during this important transition, we provide a newborn bonus as part of our employee benefits package.
This bonus is designed to ease the financial pressure and help cover the initial costs of welcoming a new family member. This allows you to focus on bonding with your newborn without the added stress of managing increased expenses. It’s one way we show our commitment to supporting our team, both in their careers and personal lives.
4. Holiday gifts for children: Bringing joy to your family
The holiday season is all about family, celebration, and joy. At Devōt, we love to spread cheer during this special time. Each year, children under 15 receive a holiday gift from Santa, adding a bit of magic to the season. This gesture reflects our commitment to supporting your family’s happiness and creating lasting memories.
We understand that happy families lead to happier employees. Our holiday gift benefit is a thoughtful way to share the joy of the festive season and show our appreciation for you and your family.
The importance of family benefits in the tech industry
Croatia's tech industry is growing rapidly, and the demand for skilled developers is on the rise. However, the pressures of high-stakes projects can make a healthy work-life balance seem elusive.
Supporting your family through initiatives like childcare assistance and flexible hours lets you focus on your work without feeling overwhelmed. Studies show that employees who feel supported in their personal lives perform better at work, which is crucial for maintaining high productivity in software development companies.
Our commitment to work-life balance at Devōt
In 2022, when we began shaping our employer brand, one of the key values we highlighted was our commitment to work-life balance. It’s always been a part of Devōt’s DNA since we started in 2016, but putting it front and center through our branding helped us showcase how much we value it.
We believe that investing in our people’s personal lives and well-being creates a foundation for a more engaged, motivated, and productive team. This way, our developers can thrive in their roles while being engaged and present parents.
A holistic approach strengthens our team’s collaboration and commitment, so by offering meaningful employee benefits that address the needs of working parents, we’ve aimed to create a workplace where everyone can excel—both in their careers and at home.
Supporting families in other ways
We understand that life can be unpredictable and that everyone faces challenges, so we offer certificate-free sick leave for up to three days a month.
If you’re feeling under the weather, you can simply let your team know without the unnecessary hassle of paperwork. This flexibility acknowledges the realities of being a working parent, where unexpected illnesses can occur.
For instance, if you wake up with a fever after a long night caring for a sick child, you shouldn’t have to worry about navigating paperwork in your moment of need.
Health insurance and other family-friendly benefits at Devōt
At Devōt, we recognize that your needs as a working parent extend beyond childcare and time off for special occasions. That’s why we offer a range of other benefits to support you and your family:
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Additional medical insurance: As part of our health benefits, you’re entitled to a comprehensive general medical exam at a private hospital once a year. Additionally, you can access medical specialist examinations and tests at various modern private clinics throughout Croatia. We offer health insurance to give you peace of mind and ensure that you and your family are well-cared for.
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Remote work options: Flexibility is key to managing work and family life. We encourage employees to find what works best for them by offering a range of working arrangements, whether they prefer remote, on-site, or hybrid work.
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CRO Tourist Card: Family time is precious, and we want to help you make the most of it. Each July, we provide our employees with a CRO Card, offering access to perks and discounts at tourist destinations across Croatia. Whether planning a family vacation or simply enjoying a meal out, this employee benefit enhances your time spent with loved ones.
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Multisport Card: Staying active is important for your physical health and well-being, and it’s even better when you can involve your family. With the Multisport card, you can access over 2,000 sports and wellness facilities across Croatia, including gyms, pools, and more. This attractive benefit is a gym membership alternative encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle.
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Structured onboarding after parental leave: We all know that in Croatia, parents get one year of paid parental leave. However, transitioning back to work after parental leave can be challenging. We offer a structured onboarding process to help you gradually reintegrate into your role, ensuring a smooth transition for both you and your team. This process also supports your mental health by reducing stress and allowing you to return to work comfortably.
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Christmas bonus & gift for parents: The holiday season brings joy, and we add a little extra by offering a Christmas bonus and a special gift to show our appreciation for your hard work throughout the year. This bonus not only spreads holiday cheer but also contributes to your financial security, providing additional support when extra expenses arise.
By incorporating these employee benefits examples, we aim to create a workplace that values professional growth and acknowledges the importance of well-being and family support.
A culture that cares
I know everyone says this, but after two and a half years at Devōt, I can honestly say we truly value the well-being of every team member and their families. As our HR team grew, they worked hard to expand our employee benefits, especially as more of us at Devōt started families. That’s why we introduced the benefits I mentioned.
Life outside of work is essential to overall job satisfaction, and we’ve created an environment where you can thrive in all aspects of your life.
Our commitment to providing essential benefits, including comprehensive health coverage and financial security options, reflects our dedication to supporting and retaining our valued team members.
We believe that providing attractive work-life balance benefits encourages employees to thrive both personally and professionally. Additionally, our flexible hours allow you to balance work responsibilities with family commitments, ensuring you have the time to cherish those special moments.
If you want to join a company that genuinely cares about your family and your career and where employer contributions enhance your overall experience, Devōt could be the perfect fit.