What "Perks" Do You Have At Work???

<p>Not talking benefits like insurance, vacation weeks - that kind of thing. I am talking real “extras” - perks of your field or just fun perks of your company.</p>

<p>For instance, I’m jealous of my D who works for a large PR firm. They have a kitchen/small cafe open to employees and fully stocked with healthy goodies - yogurt, trail mix, pretzels, popcorn, PB, etc. Every morning staff arrives at work with a full counter of several pump thermos things filled with different kinds of coffee and a selection of other hot drinks. They have agency fun themed parties just about every month from pancake flipping breakfasts to corn on the cob eating contests. The list goes on and on - I’m kinda jealous!</p>

<p>Some of you have mentioned major discounts in your company cafeteria. I have a friend who gets free membership to a fitness center next to her office.</p>

<p>These are real “perks”!!</p>

<p>So when I think of my own… I have to dig a little…free yearly flu shot! We do have a fitness center on site but we pay for it - still it is fairly reasonable and convenient. The days of food discounts in the cafeteria are nearly nill - miss those days. </p>

<p>So it’s the end of the work week - make us jealous of some of the special “perks” - aside from the basic needs of insurance, etc. that you are fortunate enough to enjoy!</p>

<p>12 free hotel rooms a year and a great discount if I need more nights than that
1/2 off F&B when traveling to those hotels</p>

<p>We get subsidized food, a free selection of gourmet coffee/tea/hot chocolate on each floor, free flu shots, subsidized gym memberships, use of the company discounts for various services, as well as discounts on expensive products through the firm’s accounts. THe best thing is that once a week, the firm brings in a very yummy dessert and makes a serving available to everyone who wants one. It’s something to really look forward to and enjoy, as well as a good opportunity to socialize. They also have frequent cocktail parties and themed eating events.</p>

<p>Best perk ever–I work from home!!! I’ve been “in” the office twice in the past 3 years :D.</p>

<p>Good coffee on demand, flu shot, $200/year for a gym membership, two to three company funded outings (dinner party, pro sporting event, etc.), quarterly breakfast (omelette guy comes in). Very appreciated by me :)</p>

<p>No perks…does a free ugly staff t shirt count?</p>

<p>Free flu shots, a yearly company themed gift like an umbrella, an underwhelming free holiday meal in the cafeteria.</p>

<p>We have a large kitchen, fully stocked with fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, dry fruit, breakfast bars, soda, energy drinks. They order food in often. If people work past 8pm, they get to order dinner. We have video games, ping pong table, hockey table game. They allow cocktail parties in the office. Once a year they take the whole company on a trip (beach or skiing), all expense paid. Yes, very discounted gym membership.</p>

<p>The department secretary gave me a ream of printer paper so I don’t have to keep using mine when students email me papers they missed handing in.</p>

<p>Is this what you mean? :)</p>

<p>Oh, and they’re allowing adjuncts to park in the full-time staff/faculty lots now!!!</p>

<p>two state of the art on campus fitness centers that are free to all employees and they also don’t care when you use it - even on the clock. (sadly, I don’t use it)</p>

<p>on campus health center with doctors, optometrist and dentist that obviously takes the company insurance - talk about hugely convenient - also go on company time - no biggie!</p>

<p>Yeah, we have parties - the holiday ones are rather lavish too.</p>

<p>Can work from home whenever needed - I don’t need to often.</p>

<p>Free shuttle buses to local restaurants.(we also have 3 large dining cafes that have a multitude of food options).</p>

<p>Sprawling suburban campus that is quite beautiful and park-like with three ponds - fish, ducks and lots of birdies! We are encouraged to take breaks and chill in our lovely environment.</p>

<p>Likely other stuff, but those are the broad strokes.</p>

<p>Wow, I’m impressed! Some really, really nice perks!</p>

<p>And so many free flu shots - as I said, I get one, but I work in a hospital/health care setting so…</p>

<p>Free tuition for self or family (24 credit hours per year).</p>

<p>Money back for various wellness activities accomplished (flu shot, annual physical, blood work, exercise) etc. The wellness payments come to about $400 per year. If you do ALL the wellness activities including documenting exercising 4 days a week for the entire year, then you are eligible for a share of the amount the university saves on it’s self-insured health plan. Payments at year end for this can be from $200 to $1000.</p>

<p>Pay isn’t fantastic at universities, but they treat us well in other ways.</p>

<p>^ we have that wellness money back thing too and free flu shots (which I don’t take)</p>

<p>Oops, yes actually we also have free tuition at our university for our kids if you are working full time (prorated otherwise I believe) - embarrassed I didn’t remember that…however my first two opted (and we encouraged) to go to college out of town and we have no regrets. Doubtful that my third will take advantage of the free/reduced tuition either.</p>

<p>Oh, and if you are hired as a challenger (new hire out of college) and impress, they will pay for grad school.</p>

<p>What is this foreign term “perk” you speak of? ;)</p>

<p>My first job out of business school I worked for a very well-known and well-respected bank. Got perks like free travelers checks, free check cashing privileges (this was pre-ATM), free foreign currency exchange. And they fingerprinted my kids at the annual childrens’ Christmas party.</p>

<p>My last job, I worked for a very well-known and well-respected fashion company. I got fantastic discounts – 50% off anything full-price, and 30% off anything on sale. I got a pair of $175 boots for $30, a $1,300 dress for $200, and an $800 belt for $75!!</p>

<p>That’s the only thing I miss about that company.</p>

<p>A free flu shot and an apple during American Education week. Woot! Woot!</p>

<p>^^^You are probably saving more money now that you are not working there.</p>

<p>Coffee, tea, milk, hot chocolate, variety of sodas, diet sodas, filtered water, spritzer, juices.</p>

<p>Fitness center with aerobic equipment, strength equipment including a Smith Machine, mats, balls and it is staffed. It runs regular programs, will take blood pressure measurements, run contests with prizes, etc.</p>

<p>I can work from anywhere in the world with good broadband service. Many employees will take extended time to live somewhere else in the world for a few weeks to six months and work remotely while they are away.</p>

<p>Stock price has appreciated 1,700% since we joined.</p>

<p>Fitness center classroom with balls, mats, steps, stretchy things, weights, video system, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, stereo equipment and instructor-led classes.
Ping-Pong room with high-quality table.
In-office flowers and dry-cleaning services.
Outside-world WiFi.
Discount programs at a wide variety of national and local companies.
Free flu-shots.
ATM Machine.</p>