Yesterday, we listed 20 real employee benefits (The 20 [Best] and Real Employee Benefits) in no particular order.
Today, we add another 13 of the best benefits and perks — and again, in no particular order.
If you missed the first 20 benefits, make sure to check them out here.
21. 100% reimbursement for education costs
Working full time takes up a lot of your time (I like understatements) but for the true go-getter who doesn’t like to sleep or have a social life, the J.M. Smucker Company reimburses 100 percent of an employee’s tuition costs — with no cap.
Now, if only Harvard only offered night classes.
22. Free concierge
Racine, Wisconsin-based S.C. Johnson offers its employees access to a concierge service that can take care of those minor chores like changing the oil in your car or rotating your tires.
I wonder if it would be a conflict of interest to get the service to schedule some new-job interviews for me.
23. Pay for a divorce
It’s a sad commentary on the times when a perk package includes paying for a divorce. What’s next?
24. Botox leave
The original perk granted to Fox Kalomaski workers was an extra paid day off in December for pre-holiday haircuts or facials.
It was later redubbed “Botox Leave” because execs found out – and this is the sad part – that a large number of employees were getting Botox injections instead of haircuts.
25. $400 worth of free Uber rides each month
Yes, Uber employees really do get free rides in a company car.
The only problem is that the car is a Smart ForTwo … and the employee has to sit in the back.
2. Parent’s weekend
Dropbox employees can invite their parents to a day of fun events and free talks.
While it doesn’t seem like something I’d be keen on availing, employee feedback was generally positive.
27. Insane Internet speed
Microsoft and other companies provide their employees with insanely fast Internet speeds.
I don’t know if I would consider this a perk though. It’s almost like saying that a Formula 1 racing team has cars that go fast.
Well, yeah! It’s just a part of the business. Now if I could take that car (or that Internet speed) home, that would be a benefit.
28. Perfect attendance bonus
One employee reports that his company offers a perfect attendance bonus which consists of $150 for one month, $350 for three months, $500 for six months, and $1000 for one year.
That’s a total of $2000 (1000 + 500 +350 +150) if you can make it through a year without getting sick. Yes, $2000 pays for a lot of Airborne.
29. Cheap solar power
Companies like 3M, Cisco, Kimberly-Clark, and National Geographic provide discounted pricing for rooftop solar systems. Thing is, how do I make something like that work in my high-rise apartment?
30. Music room in office
The details on this one are sketchy but Dropbox has set up a separate music room for its employees to use.
I’m not sure if it’s a room where you play music (i.e., bring your oboe to work) or listen to it (i.e., bring your iPod to work). Either way, it’s an interesting diversion from work…unless the music is banjo, in which case, it’s cruel and unusual punishment.
31. Flexible schedule
Clif Bar offers employees a 9/80 schedule which consists of working 80 hours in nine days followed by taking the 10th day (Friday) off. Seems like a reasonable schedule.
32. Shades of green
Though it sounds like an environmental thing (or a kinky thing a la 50 Shades of Grey), Sweetgreen’s Shades of Green is actually a tenure program whereby every employee gets a free shirt – the longer you work at Sweetgreen, the darker the shirt.
33. Sweet workspaces
No, this doesn’t have to do with candy. Silicon Valley startup Asana gives each employee $10,000 to customize their office.
Apparently, the most common choice is a desk that allows the employee to work sitting or standing.
Benefits are great, but why not just more pay?
After reading this list, you may wonder why your company doesn’t just pay you more instead of offering perks and free stuff.
Some of it has to do with the fact that “pay” is taxed twice in most business situations. Employers can get more bang for their buck – and pass the savings on to you – by offering perks and benefits rather than higher salaries.
So whether your workplace offers free meals all day every day or just free cookies on Friday, make sure you take advantage. They’re there for your benefit after all.