What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

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  Ian P07/01/08 Report as spam
  1

  What wouldn't I give up?

  Salary reductions were all in vogue in the US 10 years ago, but this caused a rush to the door and a haemorrage of profits, so I haven't noticed many of those recently.
  Other than that I guess there is nothing I wouldn't give up, but my employers would get an equivalent reduction in service.
  We have a contractual relationship and if I am not comfortable with the new contract, neither will they be.
  However, in reality, I work for a good company who honestly believe that making my life comfortable brings them tenfold benefits. I agree.

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  pesc07/01/08 Report as spam
  2

  RE: What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

  I worked for a company who mandated sharing rooms on business trips ... and mandatory at certain mandatory offsites. Maybe cut back on the offsites, hmm?

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  tltodd07/02/08 Report as spam
  3

  Room Sharing

  I think I worked for that company too (not long!). The funny part about the sharing thing was that suddenly (especially the men), started showing up with Doctor notes claiming some variation of sleep apnea, restless leg and severe snoring...anything to get them out of sharing a room. Therefore, the Company really didn't save that much.

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  tomnettom07/01/08 Report as spam
  4

  RE: What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

  AT&T Yellow Pages took out all coffee machines and bottled WATER.
  
  Petty.

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  raj@...07/01/08 Report as spam
  5

  RE: What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

  Not being able to taste or drink wine! From my Gm down to my servers would probable walkout! RH

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  DerekIrvine07/01/08 Report as spam
  6

  RE: What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

  Lindsey, you are absolutely right. During a downturn is precisely when companies should be investing more in their valuable talent. My recommendations are:
  1) View employees as an asset, not a cost.
  2) Let employees know they make a difference.
  3) Counter employee confusion and discontent over actions such as layoffs or reorganizations with constant communication.
  4) Boost performance through recognition when merit increases become cost prohibitive.
  5) Optimize strategy execution through reinforcement of effective implementation steps.
  
  More on all of this at: http://globoforce.blogspot.com/search/label/recognition%20in%20an%20ailing%20economy?max-results=100.

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  beverlyingle07/01/08 Report as spam
  7

  RE: What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

  My employer is a Wall Street Journal - Top Small Workplaces 2007 Winner, and
  our perks include subsidized, on-site child care; 100% employer-paid health
  care; a wellness program; professional development opportunities and much
  more. The ONLY perk we've reduced in the last 5 years is paid parking. If you
  want to park within a block of the office, you pay the fee yourself. If you're
  willing to walk a few blocks between the parking garage and the office, the cost
  is covered by the company. Maintaining healthy perks during lean times has
  made a noticeable difference in staff productivity and loyalty over the long term.

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  isaacb07/01/08 Report as spam
  8

  RE: What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

  Casual week... My company has 350+ employees, and it is a start-up, so we have the flexibility to enjoy things like casual dress week in the office. This offsets the long hours and pressured working situations and allows to relax a little bit... even when working 20+ hours to meet a deadline...

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  miskelly07/02/08 Report as spam
  9

  free sugar a perk?

  subsidizing big-name soft drinks manufacturers? What about a sugar-free alternative? Starbucks don't make coffee they just brand it. Lavazza is my faourite, or what about fair-trade coffee?

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  jenyj8907/02/08 Report as spam
  10

  Office Perks I would want to keep

  Being a Federal employee we don't really have alot of "company provided" perks, like our snack/soda choices are bought by someone in the office, who sets the prices and we pay into a coin box as we buy the snacks.
  
  But we do have cookouts every once in awhile on a Thurs or Fri to celebrate something, or just to blow off a little steam. Everyone brings something and pitches in a few bucks for the meat, then we have a guy that like to grill and we all threw in for the grill a few years ago, so we grill out. It's fun and a good time to relax and blow off a little steam! I would hate for them to come down and say NO COOKOUTS and LONG LUNCHES FOR COOKOUTS.

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  tltodd07/02/08 Report as spam
  11

  Office Perks

  My company pays for Metro and parking. Think about it: If the company can't afford to continue to pay, what would make them think I could afford to pay???

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  BPaulsen07/08/08 Report as spam
  12

  RE: What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

  We are a small company located in the midwest - Chicago-land. The favored perks within our organization -
  #1. Time. Becauae we are a relatively small manufacturer's represntative firm. We are able to give time - outside of the normal sick time and vacation time. This has never been abused.
  
  #2. Free lunch - all the time. Again, do-able because we are a small company.
  
  #3. The ability to "WFH" (work fro home). Because we give careful consideration to those we chose to work with, again this policy has never been abused..
  
  #4. Company sponsored outings - dinners, shows (Wicked, Lion King, Blue Man Group).
  
  #5. Free gear! (audio, visual, a/v)
  
  We are extremely happy that we get to chose who works for the company, at the same time, every person in our employ, could very easily works for others, possibly at at a highger rate of compensation... they choose us as well! Our employees have a voice in decisions made, and we trust each employee and appreciate all of their contributions.
  
  Not a perk, but still nice - at the end of each day, I say thanks to each employee! Doesn't cost anything but goes a long way!

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  paganc07/31/08 Report as spam
  13

  RE: What Beloved Office Perks Can You Not Do Without?

  The "good schwag" is really to the point. Employees wear and bear anything with company's logo in it with pride, especially if you are in the retail line. Also, this is one way to promote your brand!