TOP PERKS

One of the books we’ve been using in class (Quickwork) brings a nice article about what some companies do to attract and keep their best employees. Everyone would love to have such perks in their own workplaces indeed…

• Over 95% of the staff team has flexible working hours at the software company WRQ. They also offer a nap room with futons and onsite massages!
• At the insurance company AFLAC employees can have 12 weeks off with full pay if they need to take care of a sick husband, wife, child, or parent.
• The US division of Finnish company Nokia reimburses the cost of studies of its employees. The value can reach U$ 5,000.
• Employees at CDW Computer Centers get free ice-cream in the summer and fruit and bagels (Jewish bread) every Tuesday and Thursday.
• You don’t have to worry about keeping up with your housework if you work for the printing company Valassis Communication. They provide employees with discounts on maid services and ready-to-heat meals.
• The CEO at Intel has to work in a cub like everybody else, and there are no reserved parking spaces.

Compared to our national companies, it’s not difficult to infer they still have a long way to go to conquer their employees. It’s frustrating to see most Brazilian companies struggling to skyrocket their profits without caring about their employees wellness. I’m not standing up for more state’s intervention. The best business practices arise from within the organization, through corporative policies that encompasses the contributions of each one of its individuals and challenges distorted visions of profit as a primary goal of an enterprise.

Anyway, what sort of benefits has your company offered you?