The technology world is an interesting space for talent. Competition is fierce. We would all love to rely on our products and the innovation that happens within our teams. But, the fact still remains that we need to compete in other ways as well. We all pay well. Some companies offer fat performance bonuses. Others pile stock awards on to their stars or offer impressive retirement plans.
However, there is another batch of so-called perks that many companies are touting to their candidates. Perks that are designed to show off how much a company cares about their employees and their well- being. But, when you look closely at some of these benefits, they often seem more like a way to disguise a crappy work environment.
Let’s look at some of my favorite examples:
On-Site Massage: Okay…I love massages. I’m sure you love massages. Everyone loves massages! But, when do we often think of getting a massage? When we’re stressed! If massages are so important, add it to your health care plan so employees can access it when needed. But, having an everyday masseuse available may be hiding the fact that you are over-stressing your employees.
The Massive Sign-On bonus/Golden handcuff: Money up front is always nice. You can practically see the dollar signs in a person’s eyes when they hear about the fat sign-on bonus they will get for joining. Big money means you can buy a new car! A mortgage down payment! A lifetime supply of crunchy Cheetos! Oh…but wait…it comes with a 2 year requirement? So, that means that if you join and find that you hate the company and want to leave you’ll actually need to pay it back? Don’t spend it all in one place…
Free dinner: This is my all time favorite. We give you free dinner! Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about free lunch. That one is pretty awesome. I’m talking about free dinner. Think about it. Free food is great. But, why does the company need to offer free dinner as a benefit? Could it be because they work their employees until the evening hours? Could those 60 hour work weeks feel like 90 hours if you’re not fed? Wouldn’t you rather be home eating dinner with your family?
What sounds awesome actually turns out to be frustrating. Technology is advancing faster than ever before. In order to keep up, companies are beginning to crack the whip like they did in the dot com days. However, back then, everyone was getting rich! That’s not happening, anymore. The number of people getting rich has gone down, but the employees working to make them rich are still chained to their desks.
I have a suggestion. Stop hiding behind “beyond the basics” benefits. First, address the real issue of poor planning. Overworked employees are a direct result of poor management. Also, consider improving your “work from home” policies. Employees aren’t afraid to work hard and sometimes put in long hours. But, instead of paying someone to give them a back rub, let them work from the comfort of their own homes. Give them a chance to put their kid to bed and watch some “Walking Dead” before they sit down to crank further.
And, for goodness sakes, stop giving them free dinner. Quit pretending this is for employee wellness. A healthy employee should be with his family or hanging with her friends. Not spending it with the same people she’s been looking at all day long. However, a devoted employee will take advantage of this “perk” more often than they should. And, the company is totally okay with that.
Don’t be fooled! Not all benefits are created equal.
Not sure I agree with Jason’s premise that these types of perks are necessarily hiding poor employment/management practices…that’s a pretty cynical viewpoint.
Frankly, I could care less about massages either way since probably less than 20% of employees would ever take advantage of them regardless of their stress level or its origin.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable for an employer to ask for a portion of a sign-on bonus back within 1-2 years. There are probably at least as many instances of unethical candidates accepting sign-on bonuses with the intent of leaving as soon as the check clears as there are instances of companies luring naive employees into an unbearable work environment. You want the sign-on bonus? Make a commitment to us.
Finally, not all employees work through the dinner hour due to poor management practices. Some actually like to finish projects on time. Others might like to save a few bucks by eating at work. Whatever their motivation, don’t assume that great employees expect to leave before dinner time – they may consider hanging with their work colleagues/friends as enjoyable as time with friends/family.
Basically, I am for any/all perks that employees seem to want. The key is to ask them (and continue asking them) what it is that would create more engagement and productivity in their work lives…and then provide it.
Bill, I realize I’m not posting with my real name, but I’m also not linking to my business either. I have to say, though, that your comments sound like the are designed to win friends (and therefore business) with people in management. Although your first points are reasonable, I take issue with the following:
“Finally, not all employees work through the dinner hour due to poor management practices. Some actually like to finish projects on time.”
If one must work through the dinner hour to finish projects on time, then I’m going to conclude that the schedule is quite aggressive, which is definitely a function of management. I shouldn’t have to give up my dinner hour because management set an ambitious schedule. Isn’t setting schedules that encroach on my work/life balance poor management?
Second,
“Whatever their motivation, don’t assume that great employees expect to leave before dinner time – they may consider hanging with their work colleagues/friends as enjoyable as time with friends/family.”
Do you really consider going to work “hanging” out? I don’t. It’s a job first and foremost. I go to work to earn a paycheck. If you enjoy going to work more than being with your friends and family, I’d have to conclude that you are single, or that you really want to avoid your wife. Least the later come out too harsh, *you* asserted that people would rather hang out with their co-workers instead of their spouses.
You might not respect work/life balance, but making statements like that while linking to your recruiting business is rather self-serving.
Mixing business with pleasure? That question still comes into place even here.
Anonymous – whether you want to believe it or not, this is the first time I have posted on FOT and I simply filled out the form that was presented to me — which included my e-mail address and web URL. I had no idea that clicking on my name would link directly to my website…if I could change it now I would.
Why do you find it necessary to post anonymously?