Beware of Company “perks” That Are Just Incentives for Long-Term Performance.
I worked for a while at a startup that paid in beans but offered great perks like laundry and on-site cook for a while. These benefits are becoming commonplace, but in many cases they are simply incentives to work longer.
CNBC recently called these “perks” in a video report, saying many companies are using them as a way to make employees overwork. One expert told the BBC:
“It’s not because companies are being generous,” said Gerald Ledford, senior fellow at the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. “The purpose of most of these benefits is to ensure that people do not have to leave their jobs.”
Of course, if the perks are worth it , that’s one thing. Some of them are pretty cute! But ulterior motives still need to be considered, especially if you decide to take on a low-paying job in exchange for cool perks. There is often more to a perk than meets the eye.