My company signed up for a $1000/year subscription-based water cooler

Re:My company signed up for a $1000/year subscription-based ... by noir_lord on Sunday May 13, 2018 @05:27AM (#17058068)

Pretty much the same.

I'm a programmer at a manufacturing company and our offices all have (well we actually have two) canteens attached, Microwave, 4 rack toasters and a paninni maker.

Coffee/Tea/Water are available from a machine (you just put your token in and select what you want).

We don't have Sofa's but everything else we do have, I have a whiteboard behind my desk (though that is because what was a meeting room is now just my office).

Boss understands that staff comfort is important.

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Re:My company signed up for a $1000/year subscription-based ... by speedplane on Sunday May 13, 2018 @07:28AM (#17058391)

The perks you describe are actually pretty basic compared to the over-the-top silicon valley world, but they still get the same point across. The CEO/boss is hiring you for your brain, and keeping you happy and reducing stress makes most people's brains work better.

So no matter if your office has a personal sushi chef or just decent coffee, management's ability to empathize, see the pain, and compensate in some tangible way (not necessarily monetarily) can often be a huge motivator / confidence booster.

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Re:My company signed up for a $1000/year subscription-based ... by noir_lord on Sunday May 13, 2018 @08:47AM (#17058641)

Beyond a quiet place to work (which I have) and decent management (which I have) I'm really not fussed about perks.

My boss insists I don't work over time (and if I need to do anything on a weekend I get the time back in lieu).

So while yeah they are basic perks I'll take no perks if I can have the above every day of the week.

For me as a programmer, 9-5 Mon to Friday every week, week in/week out is perfect - Work/Life balance is the best I've ever had since I moved to working as a programmer full time.

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