What Interesting Employee Perks Does Your Employer Offer?

brianki on 12/12/2022 - 14:39
Last edited 12/12/2022 - 15:26 by 1 other user

Hi All,

I recently transferred over to Fitness Passport which is a perk provided through my wife's employer and it got me to thinking about what perks my own company offered.

After digging around a bit on my own Intranet, there are some other benefits available to me that I had not been availing of (and probably still wont), these include:

Corporate rates on: Novated lease, Car Hire Worldwide, Car Dealership Corporate Memberships

Discounts on: Health Insurance, Dell Computer, Apple products & Qantas Membership

Access to: JB Hi-Fi Corporate Purchase Portal

Not too bad but not exactly earth shattering. I really believe that Fitness Passport craps all over my potential perks.

So what perks do you have access to from your employer? Were they made known during the hiring process or are they hidden in a musty corner of an Intranet page somewhere?

Keen to hear on what I am missing out on :)

Education & Work

Comments

    • 1Kenobi on 13/12/2022 - 06:38

      Whats the new industry space?
      Is it the employer or the type of job that leads to the perks?

      (I need a change)

  • Glenningvalley on 12/12/2022 - 19:55
    +10

    Local Gov.

    35 hr work week
    2 days WFH a week
    15 Days Flex leave a year + annual Leave
    12 weeks paid Paternity leave when we had our first child.
    Fitness passport
    Fruit/biscuits/coffee etc

    and people told me a was silly switching from private to Gov

    • hawkers89 on 13/12/2022 - 12:55

      Damn that sounds cushy af

    • Sleeqb7 on 13/12/2022 - 13:25

      Where do I sign up?

    • CheapskateQueen on 13/12/2022 - 22:09
      +1

      how come my council rates dollars are paying for your arnotts??? and fruit?? that's luxury

      • Glenningvalley on 14/12/2022 - 18:51
        +4

        Id would love to get into an argument with you but im too busy wasting your rates.

        • Matt P on 14/12/2022 - 21:18
          +1

          Kevin Knight is that you??

  • 0FoxGiven on 12/12/2022 - 21:33

    WFH
    If in office:
    - Snacks (Chips, nuts)
    - Fruits
    - Juice
    - Soft drinks
    - Bread and spreads
    - Free headspace subscription

    Then a bunch of useless stuff like novated leasing, small discounts at expensive insurance providers, etc

  • Dotaguy on 12/12/2022 - 22:03

    Not me but some corporate guys in the car companies get free leases + fuel on cars they pick out apparently. Friend was bragging about how they gave him a new hilux to drive around and he never pays for fuel.

  • Antikythera on 12/12/2022 - 23:13

    Woolworths employees get 50% off meals at ALH hotels.
    5% off at Woolworths, big W, BWS, Dan Murphys, Caltex(iirc) etc.

  • pogichinoy on 12/12/2022 - 23:34

    Family member worked for an airline.

    1 free confirmed flight anywhere per year. Every other confirmed flight, gotta pay the gross amount only.

    Includes potentially free upgrades (if there is availability).

    Only times I ever got to fly first class on Singapore airlines for free.

  • bigbadboogieman on 12/12/2022 - 23:42

    My wife's employer provides salary sacrifice into mortgage.

    • Chong on 13/12/2022 - 11:09

      are they the mortgage provider? sounds like a massive one to have!

    • anzacpaul on 13/12/2022 - 12:50
      +1

      Mine puts it straight into my personal bank. Just have to show you've got a liability.

      • bigbadboogieman on 13/12/2022 - 15:18
        +1

        If the ATO comes knocking, you would need to show it actually went into the mortgage. But yeah, the salary sacrifice facilitating companies can't care less. It does come into a bank account.

        • anzacpaul on 13/12/2022 - 18:17

          Yep, just interesting that previously they wouldn't let me do it, and when I changed banks for my home loan, they just did it when I said I need to change the payment options.

          I do actually have the exact amount setup to EFT out a fortnight into the mortgage.

    • Drakesy on 13/12/2022 - 14:17
      +1

      Somone works in the health department i see

      • bigbadboogieman on 13/12/2022 - 15:16

        …or Charity or Education or Government.

        • Drakesy on 13/12/2022 - 15:26

          In WA it's only health workers who get to salary sacrifice mortgages.
          All other government staff get nothing :(

          • bigbadboogieman on 13/12/2022 - 15:29

            @Drakesy: WA legally allows carrying pepper spray so guess you win some you lose some?

          • sigur on 13/12/2022 - 16:45
            +1

            @Drakesy: Yeah - in SA it's only workers in hospitals who get the salary sacrifice, can be doing exact same job in head office but get nothing. Made it impossible to recruit staff from health networks to work on big head office projects as they would effectively take a pay cut.

            • serpserpserp on 16/12/2022 - 21:11

              @sigur: It should be for the doctors, nurses, cleaners, orderlies etc. Not the admin staff.

  • Dreamcast on 12/12/2022 - 23:53

    Samsung epp is the only thing worthwhile.

    • nedski on 13/12/2022 - 11:17

      I havent seen a good deal in there for awhile.

  • qvinto on 13/12/2022 - 00:03
    +1
    • Salary packaging of portable device (mobile, laptop etc with no price limit), public transport fares, gym membership, stay at ski lodge
    • On site childcare, very slightly discounted rates compared to market cost
    • 6 months paid parental leave, and return to work bonus of a few months salary, 1 month paid partner leave if not primary carer
    • Free access to range of software (such as full Adobe suite of software)
    • Coffee machines with pods etc
    • Bike lockers, showers etc
    • Work from home, no real oversight, generous leave, holiday leave loading salary bonus
    • Preet on 16/12/2022 - 09:39

      Where do you work?!?! What is this magical place?

      • qvinto on 16/12/2022 - 09:55

        University, most of them have these sort of perks

  • Briefcase Mong on 13/12/2022 - 00:05

    Buy 2 get 1 free stock through salary sacrifice

    • AustriaBargain on 13/12/2022 - 00:28

      I think Steve Jobs got that same option when he came back to Apple, made him millions.

  • cheesusme on 13/12/2022 - 00:41

    Fyi is my working condition legal.
    Cramped up table, little working space, chair very old and not comfortable- forward leaning, table too low for my height, developed sore neck working 9-5,

    Plus overly excessive monitoring

    • drfuzzy on 13/12/2022 - 01:42
      +3

      If you have oxygen then it is probably legal.
      If you no oxygen it will all be over soon.

    • bigbadboogieman on 13/12/2022 - 15:32

      You get a table and chair? One of my earlier jobs, I had to stand 4 hours straight and was only allowed to sit for 15 mins after every 4 hours (food break). 8 hour shift, boss had removed all chairs from the area and left only 2 chairs in his office.

      • tikei on 13/12/2022 - 19:20
        +1

        Should've sat on the floor to make a point

  • ItchyBallsack on 13/12/2022 - 01:13

    As a mechanic i can do my own oil changes for free. Trade price car parts And can use the lifts after work. I get 9c off per liter fuel from BP from my uber eats job.

  • drfuzzy on 13/12/2022 - 01:39
    +1

    Offer of another months accommodation in my own home via mortgage repayment.

  • OzDorgain on 13/12/2022 - 08:14
    +2

    Completely free corporate level private health insurance for my entire family (2 adults, 2 kids), hospital and extras. You cant even buy this level of cover privately - the caps are much higher..

    Its an awesome benefit, and honestly the main reason I'm still working with this company.

    *Mining Industry

    • misscathxoxo on 16/12/2022 - 23:35

      Rio Tinto and Medibank lol

  • joelock on 13/12/2022 - 08:16
    +1

    Work for a major bank. Home loans with 10% deposit with no LMI. This can be for owner occupied or investment.

    • drfuzzy on 15/12/2022 - 18:30

      is the rate any good though?
      I know someone who works for Westpac but does his banking at ANZ as he can get a better deal than the staff rate….

  • stumo on 13/12/2022 - 08:21
    +1

    When my employer was owned by Ford we got ay least 25% off Ford, Jag, Volvo and Aston Martin new vehicles. We had to keep the car for at least 2 years though so no quick bucks.

    Latest perk is 90% off a fancy automatic swiss watch they commissioned to commemerate 75 years in the industry. Its kinda ugly though so no deal even at 90% off lol.

  • gstfree on 13/12/2022 - 08:24
    • Guidance resources (free counselling)
    • Free death, tpd insurance and super monthly fees
      In general we don't provide additional benefits which triggers FBT. Employees are paid higher than industry normal due to no misc benefits are provided.
    • boostpak on 13/12/2022 - 16:28

      benefits can always come out as a company expense not an employee expense therefore no fbt

  • GourmetFoodie on 13/12/2022 - 08:26
    +10

    I used to work for a company that had heaps of incredible perks worth a fortune. At the end of the day though, it didn’t make me like my job anymore than the previous job where I only got free instant coffee! The best people still quit if management are tossers so my conclusion is perks are a waste of money and you’re better off spending money on performance management systems to weed out those people who play “politics” and drag down a whole culture.

    • Bob Svargis on 13/12/2022 - 10:59
      +3

      I cannot agree more. I work in an environment with lots of perks but the mood/atmosphere from my immediate team really sucks.

      • GourmetFoodie on 13/12/2022 - 11:16
        +1

        Hope you can get out of there mate. A whole bunch of us left at a similar time because of the politics. You will feel a weight lift if you can get away.

      • boostpak on 13/12/2022 - 16:29

        what is the mood/atmosphere actually like can you explain?

  • Kiro on 13/12/2022 - 08:34
    +1

    International roast sachet by the box load. Tea bags that might have already been used, dried out and re packed for us

  • apple2016 on 13/12/2022 - 08:44

    Used to have free beers in a company I worked earlier!

  • Hansi on 13/12/2022 - 08:45

    Old employer: Crazy parties and free booze from 1200 ever Friday, daily changing PT activities

    Now: Free uni, opportunity to conduct charity activities during business hours, cheaper health care, in house gym facilities

  • dtxau on 13/12/2022 - 09:03

    We get a lot of those IT partnerships with vendors for hardware. Eg: HP/Lenovo/Dell/IBM. They have an employee discount portal. However, the discounts are usually worse off if you compare it to stuff you see advertised on here LOL.

  • mr_vino89 on 13/12/2022 - 09:55
    +2

    the ozbargain website not being blocked on the work computers

  • upsuper on 13/12/2022 - 10:12
    +5

    I work in Canva. There are many good things, but one thing I really like and want to highlight is that we have three paid "Force for Good" days off each year, that you can use to do volunteer work. The company also organizes group volunteer activities once a month so people can utilize the time off if they are too busy to find volunteer opportunities themselves.

  • Taro Milk Tea on 13/12/2022 - 10:17
    +1

    Free tap water

  • grr1701 on 13/12/2022 - 10:34
    +2

    I got a piece of chalk once.

  • Big Lez on 13/12/2022 - 10:47
    +2

    Reading these comments makes me want to switch to tech

    • brianki on 13/12/2022 - 12:06

      I very much feel the same…

  • SkMed on 13/12/2022 - 10:56

    Previous employer had a Batista onsite from 7-11am for coffee. There's also a fully stocked bar and a pool table and table tennis. All they expected was that employees work unpaid overtime, several times per week. That's the creative industry in a nutshell.

    I took the perks and never worked late though as I was actually good enough at my job that I could tell them I wasn't working unpaid overtime. I was also the only employee that was allowed to WFH 3 days per week (before covid)

    70 percent of the others did unpaid overtime maybe 3 or 4 days per week… Sometimes they'd do 16hr days only being paid for 8.

    • Windows7forever on 13/12/2022 - 21:28

      Batista bomb that coffee lol

    • Craze on 15/12/2022 - 14:05

      While I applaud you that you're more productive than your colleagues that you didn't need to work overtime, but did it eventually become an issue as you were given additional benefits (WFH) that they didn't have and didn't need to do unpaid OT?

  • hasher22 on 13/12/2022 - 10:56
    +10

    A job stated in the interview one of the perks is 4 weeks annual leave for my full time position.

    When I got the job, a conversation popped up and, I stated that annual leave isn't a perk but a legal requirement and 4 weeks is minimum. I said additional annual leave is a perk. I had a nice chat with HR about that stating I shouldn't "correct" them. How sensitive you have to be to get triggered by that?

    I quit that job after 7 months, toxic workplace.

    • Bob Svargis on 13/12/2022 - 11:01
      +6

      It takes some bravery to have that type of conversation so soon in your employment. Well done.

    • Gunnar on 13/12/2022 - 12:10

      That interview sounded like a giant red flag… who the hell sells them meeting their legal obligations as a 'perk'?

      • localhost on 13/12/2022 - 17:43

        car dealers - free rego with new car :)

  • squaredonut on 13/12/2022 - 11:35

    WFH, Free lunch 3 times a week, just need to let them know that you'll be in. Free coffee, heaps of snacks, drinks, beer, etc. 1 week extra leave a year. Free fitness membership per year,

  • Nillionaire on 13/12/2022 - 12:39

    Doesn't have a set number of sick days I can take. If I'm sick, I can take the day off. Doesn't require a doctor's certificate most of the time so I don't to drag my ass to the doctors if I'm sick but not sick enough to need a doctor and am better off just resting at home instead of dealing with the hassle of visiting a doctor. I love it. Of course if someone is taking a ludicrous amount of sick days, they'll bring it up

  • tsugnev on 13/12/2022 - 12:46
    +1

    Free health insurance. Great coverage too through GU Health

  • Killer Inc on 13/12/2022 - 13:39

    Most Tech companies such as Google, SalesForce, Adobe etc..

    Perks include

    Free private health for individuals or family
    Free Lunch or snacks and drinks
    12-16wk parental leave or a bit more pending on the biz
    Unlimited Leave - Uber / Netflix
    Flexible work arrangement - Hybrid or Remote these days
    Employees can purchase company shares at a discounted rate.
    RSU - company shares allocation
    WFH Allowance
    and so on.

    • camr00 on 13/12/2022 - 15:16

      I work in tech, a friend works in HR (SVP type level) for a mine. Can confirm that a lot of these things are provided (plus others), but the reasons are a split between expected (because the Google's of the world started it to attract people, now if you dont have a portion of these then people move to somewhere that does) and retention (the cliche' "golden handcuffs" to make sure you stay because this stuff is cheaper than rehiring/retraining/etc). I would also argue that unlimited leave and provided meals are designed to get you to your desk earlier, and to keep you there longer.

      My favourite perks are the health insurance (also helps keep the wife onside when it comes to longer hours/work trips/etc), and the $1000USD a year to spend on 'well being' which funds everything from 4WD upgrades to running shoes.

      Surprised no one who works for a crypto company has chimed in about all the cash that organisations in that market are (or should that be, were) throwing around. Friend works at a local trading exchange and it was constant offsites, dinners, lunches, special morning teas, etc, etc, etc.

      • CowFrogHorse on 14/12/2022 - 11:14
        -1

        Im going to guess constant dinners means one a week, thats 40 a year.

        Lets factor in 3 hours for each dinner, your friend worked 120 hours for $1000, thats just a bit more than $8 an hour…

        I fail to see why anybody would think thats a good deal.

      • Jolakot on 14/12/2022 - 11:30
        +3

        I was approached by a recruiter for a crypto 'gaming' (gambling) developer based in Melbourne, the perks were insane:

        • Onsite masseuse 3 days a week
        • Onsite barista 3 days a week
        • Paid restaurant lunch + drinks each Friday
        • Paid gym membership (I think fitness passport?)
        • Paid yearly 'retreats' to various places
        • Unlimited leave
        • Unlimited WFH
        • 10% performance bonus
        • $5000 yearly allowance for new equipment and training
        • Plus the salary itself was 25% above the top-end of what I was asking for at the time as a mid/senior developer

        If having a crypto gambling company on my resume wouldn't have completely tanked my future prospects at that stage in my career, I probably would have sold out for that

  • roweysvn on 13/12/2022 - 14:06
    +1

    I'm very lucky, I work from home but can also work in our office if needed

    • travel paid for to company functions, including flights, accom and hire car (for me, this is international travel)
    • first home buyers grant
    • stocked cafe with multiple coffee machines and food etc
    • gym membership paid for
    • in house personal trainer
    • full WFH setup for all staff, regardless of in office or fulltime WFH
    • yearly clothing allowance
    • yearly wellbeing allowance
    • double sick days
    • very generous training budget
    • we often have health professionals, financial professionals, wellbeing professionals come in to talk to us about various topics

    There is honestly a lot more, but these are the stand outs.

    And to answer the question, I work in telco

    • Windows7forever on 13/12/2022 - 21:32

      Very nice indeed

    • CowFrogHorse on 14/12/2022 - 10:47
      -5

      So you think going to a place with no friends or family and just sitting or waiting around ALL day for many days is perk ?

      At least when you work at home, you only do 8-9 hours if you have to travel you are WORKING 24h a day not to mention the day or two lost just sitting at an airport or in a plane.

      • roweysvn on 14/12/2022 - 14:35

        The travel isn't mandatory, so I definitely consider it a perk. I've got plenty of colleagues that I enjoy spending time with and plenty of friends I've made through work. Outside of my normal work day I am able to do whatever I want, including use of the hire car. I've also extended my stays in the past to turn them into holidays.

        I'm not sure what job you've had where travel means 24hrs a day of work, but that's definitely not the case with my employer.

        • CowFrogHorse on 14/12/2022 - 14:39
          -3

          Of course travel means you are working 24 hours a day..

          If you are stuck on a plane and in airports tahts hardly your own rest time or something enjoyable ?

          If you are in a foreign land, where you dont know anybody and basically dont know where anything is again how is that better than being with your family or friends ?

          • roweysvn on 14/12/2022 - 14:55
            +1

            @CowFrogHorse: I disagree, it's not 24hrs of work for me when I travel, as stated, outside of my work hours I'm free to do whatever I like. I often travel with my partner too so we're free to do what we want and given how often I travel, I know the place very well. I can also dictate how short or long my stay will be (I've stayed up to 5 weeks on a previous trip). I catch up with friends regularly when I travel, and use it as an opportunity to explore, I treat almost like a mini holiday with some work in between. Combined with the very generous meal/travel allowance, it's most definitely a perk.

            As for being stuck at an airport, it hasn't happened to me in 6 years of employment and travel so once again it's no issue for me. I also really enjoy flying, so I'm never 'stuck' in a plane, I'm more excited to be in one.

            • CowFrogHorse on 14/12/2022 - 16:16
              -2

              @roweysvn:

              As for being stuck at an airport, it hasn't happened to me in 6 years of employment and travel so once again it's no issue for me.

              Of course you have.

              Every moment you spend travelling to the airport, checking in, boarding, on the plane and repeating the same in reverse is time you will never get back.

              Doing those things is not a holiday or exciting its a job.

              I also really enjoy flying, so I'm never 'stuck' in a plane, I'm more excited to be in one.

              I guess being in prison with those standards must be wonderful…

              • roweysvn on 14/12/2022 - 19:37

                @CowFrogHorse: I just had a look at all your other comments, head off to /r/antiwork, mate, you'll be right at home there

  • Drakesy on 13/12/2022 - 14:18
    +1

    Mine has the perk of crippling depression with a side of borderline bullying.

    Nah but seriously, we have the usual salary packaging of cars etc, not that it's any good anymore. The interest rates nullify any real benefits. May as well buy outright.

    • tehsnrub on 14/12/2022 - 18:44

      Since the FBT rules changed, leasing is much better for EVs.

      Buy outright and associated lease it instead. No bank

  • daft009 on 13/12/2022 - 14:20
    +7

    I run a small business with 10 employees
    had a pod machine but now a bean to cup machine (from the recent delonghi sales). makes cold coffees too! :D
    ice cream in the freezer
    chips/corn chips
    always some soft drink in the fridge
    beers in the fridge for friday arvos
    arnotts cream buscuits
    tea bags
    milk
    roasted nuts (cashews/peanuts)
    1 team lunch at the office on a Friday/month
    cake on team member birthdays

    I am mulling over a free annual leave day (your birthday) for next year onwards.

    • localhost on 13/12/2022 - 17:47

      Make it birthday + day after. Some people have bad hangover…

      • daft009 on 13/12/2022 - 18:23
        +2

        Oh yes and I sent a couple of them overseas in business class on my points :)

        Or just day after birthday?

        • Trance N Dance on 13/12/2022 - 18:47

          How about one day off before or after a weekend either side of your birthday?

  • veetor on 13/12/2022 - 14:33

    Staff prices on Canon gear. Would be more useful if I was a photographer or actually needed to print something more than once a year.

    • bluephonebox on 13/12/2022 - 17:39

      Do you get discount on L series lenses?

      • veetor on 15/12/2022 - 09:33

        Had to look them up because I had no idea how to tell them apart from the regular lenses, but yeah, looks like I do.

  • windale on 13/12/2022 - 14:40
    +3

    I once worked in IT at a mine, I was a contractor for a large IT company. We would get emails from regional head office in Brisbane announcing the masseur would be on such and such a level at a specific time if anyone needed a neck massage at their desk. Plenty of emails about afterwork drinks and social events. On the mine site we received nothing (except our wage). We were invited to the Christmas party 800km away, travel at our own expense. The mine site techies complained about the Christmas party and the fact we could not go so they decided to send us $100 vouchers for David Jones, you guessed it, the closest was 800km away.

    • 811b11e8 on 13/12/2022 - 23:33
      +1

      Welcome to consulting lol

      Got the same treatment working at a customer in the suburbs years ago.

      300 plus consultants maybe 10 people in the office.

      Perks I missed stocked fridge, last minute corporate box office just drop into the office to pick up the ticket with about 5 mins notice when your an hour's drive away, free massages, lunch at chin chin on Fridays if your in the office etc..

      Sure your the guy who 100% utilised every year and get none of the perks.

  • peekabooo on 13/12/2022 - 14:51

    Free drinks every Friday

  • jzx100 on 13/12/2022 - 14:55

    Non payed day off when I've had a bender of a weekend.

  • ECE on 13/12/2022 - 15:04

    Free Toilet papers 😷

    • bigbadboogieman on 13/12/2022 - 15:20

      Boss makes a dollar I make a dime,
      That's why I poop on company time?

  • Arkmech on 13/12/2022 - 15:15
    +2

    Government
    38 hr work week (Actually paid overtime)
    1 day WFH a week (hopefully negotiate to 2 when I pass my probation)
    Extra allocated day off every 4 weeks + Annual Leave
    17.5% Annual Leave loading
    Fitness Passport
    Government Rates on Hotels (Extra 10% off the lowest rate)
    Amazing work-life balance.
    Previously worked in a Digital Marketing agency, I'll take paying for my own Christmas party over corporate jobs ANY DAY.

    • bigbadboogieman on 13/12/2022 - 15:22

      You should do an AMA on how to get a job with the government.

      • Drakesy on 13/12/2022 - 17:30
        +8

        It's pretty simple really.
        1. Be in the right place at the right time - know someone on the inside.
        2. Talk and BS your way to the top
        3. When they realise you're seriously useless just do the bare minimum knowing it's almost impossible to fire you
        4. Milk the gravy train until you die.

  • Brick Tamland on 13/12/2022 - 15:25
    +1

    Cold and hot water from the tap in the office. Oh and they also have toilets. All up pretty good perks.

    • StalkingIbis on 14/12/2022 - 08:43

      provided for free? Thats a one-up on mine…

  • chicken8 on 13/12/2022 - 16:23
    • Free health insurance or a monthly payout if you stay on your own
    • $299 a year for fitness equipment or classes
    • $299 a year for wellbeing equipment or sessions
    • 9% off new cars at Merc, Audi, BMW, Lexus etc
    • Discounts at Samsung, Sonos etc
    • Discounted car rental and hotel accommodations for personal trips
    • Childcare allowance

    and a bunch of smaller benefits

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