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According to Fortune magazine, which lists the 50 best companies to work for, Google is the best place to work. Google appears as the top contender for most features, including unusual perks, canteens, health insurance, and work environment. Most other companies that make the top 50 excel in just one or two areas. This is the second year in a row that Google has managed to be Fortune’s number one company rating.
Standard benefits that Google offers include 100% health insurance and on-site childcare facilities. In addition, young mothers are entitled to 18 weeks of paid maternity leave, while fathers are entitled to 7 weeks. Some perks that aren’t quite up to standard are 17 canteens that offer free food to all employees.
The rule at Google is that no employee should be more than 100 feet from a food source. That doesn’t mean they only have vending machines with junk food, or that canteens serve quick, easy, and greasy meals. Chefs of the highest caliber prepare a variety of dishes with unique twists on everyday meals. For example, macaroni and cheese are served with wild mushrooms and truffles.
They also have a strong interest in environmental protection and have a department dedicated to researching “green” technologies. Google strives to be as energy efficient as possible, an attitude encouraged by its employees. In order to save energy, they subsidize employees who buy hybrid or electric cars with $1,000. California-based employees are eligible for special discounts when they install solar panels in their homes.
Google is also quite unique in that it has a policy that allows ardent animal lovers to bring their prized pets to work. The obvious requirement is that the various dogs, cats and various others must be reasonably well behaved and house trained. It was reported in The Inquirer, UK, that the pet policy is being revised after a poorly behaved pet python caused chaos and terror at the New York branch.
Bingham McCutchen only made it to number 41 on the list, but is the number one law firm when it comes to high-paying packages. The law firm is known for hiring promising law school graduates for a whopping $160,000 a year. Their attorneys, whose importance is often overlooked by other firms, earn an average of $69,000 a year. That’s higher than what some managers at other companies earn. The average salary for Bingham McCutchen employees is a whopping $211,017 per year.
eBay San Jose campuses have dedicated relaxation areas for employees who need rest and relaxation. Rooms with plush pillows and tatami floor mats are ideal for midday prayer and meditation so staff can return to their duties refreshed and revitalized.
Camden Property Trust offers a 20% discount to employees staying in the company’s apartment complexes. Employees going on vacation can also use fully furnished apartments for as little as $20 per night.
Nike is one of the most socially responsible companies to work for, with Portland office employees volunteering as Portland Mountain Rescuers. They respond immediately to emergencies no matter what they are doing or how important it is. When prospective employees are interviewed and warned about potential mountain search disruptions to their work, the standard response is “which is more important, saving lives or selling shoes?”
What all of the companies on the top 50 list have in common is that they all recognize that a company is only as good as its employees and therefore go out of their way to ensure employee happiness and satisfaction. Employee turnover is low and job satisfaction is high. Who wouldn’t want to work for a company that rents an entire theater for a day so their employees can see a blockbuster movie on release date?
Recommended site:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2008/snapshots/1.html
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