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

    • Tomhaigh1 on 13/12/2022 - 16:50

      nice, curious which company is this (like bank or tech or startup)?

      • chicken8 on 14/12/2022 - 11:58
        +1

        Microsoft

  • Meowcat on 13/12/2022 - 16:44
    +3

    Shift work sleep disorder

  • mrvaluepack on 13/12/2022 - 16:44
    +1

    Some spare time and free internet to write this comment on ozbargain.

  • deanylev on 13/12/2022 - 16:47
    • 2 days per week wfh
    • Paid-for career coaching through Mento
    • $50/month ClassPass subscription
    • 5 "Doona Days" a year, where you can take the day off work the morning of, no questions asked
    • Extra day of annual leave for your birthday
    • $1,000 learning budget per year
    • Free lunch every two weeks
  • tikei on 13/12/2022 - 16:57

    Previous employer:
    -Ping pong table
    -arcade machines
    -ps4, TV which no one used
    - bread, nuts, fruit, instant coffee
    -5% off gift cards like woolies, etc
    -15% off buying from the company

    If a workplace has arcade machines and ping pong table, they are typically the type of company that advertises "work hard play hard" and wring you dry

    • coffeeinmyveins on 14/12/2022 - 17:41

      Agreed.

      A company that flouts "We have a PS5 and table tennis! Our head of engineering dave is the best at table tennis" sees that as their culture, and actually has none.

  • steve289 on 13/12/2022 - 18:31

    Monthly RDO - across our entire site (including office/admin)

    • boostpak on 14/12/2022 - 08:21

      how many hours work per week though

  • Obkay on 13/12/2022 - 18:48

    $300 off my gym membership fee and one extra week of annual leave accrued each year.

  • helpme on 13/12/2022 - 19:26

    Work at a school so education email, access to a free indoor basketball stadium, gym, and sporting facilities as well as a woodwork room

  • JayM on 13/12/2022 - 19:30
    +11

    Free milk and free lunches re-stocked in the fridge every day. They even sometimes come with a cool note that sometimes reads:

    "Don't touch my lunch" or 'This is xxxxxx's milk, don't use" or "Stop drinking my f***ing milk". It's these cute little touches that make me love working where I do.

    They even have names for the milk, including names of those that have long left the office. These ones usually have a funny taste.

  • OzBrogains on 13/12/2022 - 19:39
    +2

    26 weeks parental leave (both dad and mum) at full pay
    Unlimited barista made coffees (cafes are inside our office).
    WFH
    Reimbursement of phone plan
    New X1 Carbon or MBP every two years
    Reimbursement of parking
    Business class flights if travelling further than to Singapore. Although I don't know if they removed this policy.
    $500 to spend each year on a 'lifestyle' item (as long as it lifts your mood, it's kosher).
    $10k referral bonus

    • dogboy on 16/12/2022 - 14:38
      +1

      Wow, $10k referral bonus is decent. Most places I have worked it is only 2 or 3k.

      • OzBrogains on 17/12/2022 - 18:00

        Earlier this year they bumped it up to $15k for a few months when we had shortage in specific skillsets.

    • murkywater on 18/12/2022 - 12:36
      +1

      Which company is this?

  • umoddbro on 13/12/2022 - 19:56

    Seeing the comments here about instant coffee makes me grateful that our office has a proper coffee machine.

  • George2021 on 13/12/2022 - 19:59
    +1

    I’ve worked from home 5 days a week since the start of covid. That’s a perk

  • Juzz51 on 13/12/2022 - 20:48
    +2

    None of the perks I've had since will ever beat my flight attendant job.

    90% off flight tickets with that particular airline, if you didn't mind being on standby (could check flight loads anyway).

    50% off at other airlines (sometimes harder to check flight loads).

    3 days off or more in a row and I'd just fly away to somewhere else.

    Now I get slightly discounted gym membership…

    • boostpak on 14/12/2022 - 08:22

      jetlag?

      • Juzz51 on 14/12/2022 - 11:51
        +1

        Not when I was in my early 20s

    • CowFrogHorse on 14/12/2022 - 11:16
      -3

      Smart,

      seems you waste more of your holuday time travelling thana ctually enjoying the great outdoors.

      • Juzz51 on 14/12/2022 - 11:52
        +4

        Seems you waste your time sitting on Ozbargain writing troll comments.

        Keep collecting those CentreLink payments mate.

        • CowFrogHorse on 14/12/2022 - 13:27
          -2

          Whether i eat green or blue ice cream doesnt change the fact that my observation is true.

          Given you cant actually deny this further confirms what i said is true.

        • coffeeinmyveins on 14/12/2022 - 17:43

          Keep collecting those CentreLink payments mate.

          CowFrogHorse definitely has something wrong with them, and are angry at something , but what's the basis (or relevance) of this comment?

          • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2022 - 13:14

            @coffeeinmyveins: Wow i thought we lived in a free country and one was allowed to disagree and point out untruths.

            Nothing i have said is untrue, yet again all you can do is call me names ? Surely if i was wrong you could do better ? So why are you resorting to the lowest level of calling people stupid names without any evidence.

            If your holiday break is 2 weeks, and you spend 2 or 3 days travelling back and forth from your holiday spot - thats 2 or 3 days that are wasted. There is nothing wonderful about sitting in traffic or in a cark park or line at an airport. Is there anything untrue about this basic fact ?

            • portard on 16/12/2022 - 15:02

              @CowFrogHorse: You must never leave your backyard. Travelling anywhere = waste of time

              • CowFrogHorse on 16/12/2022 - 16:05
                -1

                @portard: How negative.

                Instead of living in a place i wouldnt want to holiday, i live in a small town which has everything. Every day, every weekend is a holiday.

                The holiday you take once or twice a year, is every day when you live in the country.

  • JelIyfish on 13/12/2022 - 21:12

    Nothing too exciting -
    Coffee machine, fruit, woohoo…
    WFH whenever, no limit
    Massages every few weeks
    Another day another box of stolen pens

    Honestly no perk would be better than wfh for me

  • drprox on 13/12/2022 - 21:58

    Never have to go to the office

  • lainey13 on 13/12/2022 - 22:32

    16 weeks leave for new parents (no distinction on gender), including adoptions
    Domestic violence leave
    Gender reassignment/reaffirmation leave
    Blood donor leave
    15 days carers leave
    Volunteer day of leave
    Extra 'company name' day of leave
    Bonus free annual leave day if you take off x weeks on certain occasions
    All roles flexible, location agnostic
    Many more perks but nothing that stands out as amazing in tech space.

  • brianki on 13/12/2022 - 22:46

    Great insights here from the collective Ozbargain wisdom….seems that tech is streets ahead in terms of perks generally but the pound of flesh must be paid in exchange…

  • jedimaster on 13/12/2022 - 23:36
    +2

    I work for one of the big 4 tech company

    Phone bill paid for by company
    Income protection/life insurances in superannuation are paid by company
    90% rebated Gold level PHI for self
    If I ever go to office(currently 100% WFH), stocked with all variety of beverages(non-alcoholic), coffee machine and fruits
    Budget for team to have an event each quarter (dinner, activities)
    Yearly physical fitness & mental health allowances (both separate)
    Company stocks given every year as part of bonus(can buy more at discount)
    EPP discounts at Samsung, Lenovo, Apple, Plantronics, HP, Dell, Jabra, Steelcase
    10% discount at Hertz, 10% discount on Telstra plans
    Free parking spot in office which is in CBD (can use on weekends too)
    20 annual leaves, 10 sick leaves and plenty of other leaves categories like volunteering leave, family caregiver leave, family bonding leave (after baby born)

  • Farrba on 13/12/2022 - 23:37

    which industry usually allows you to salary sacrifice mortgage repayments?

    • Ryballs on 14/12/2022 - 02:42

      My wife worked for health NPO with this. She also got a living expenses card that she could use to salary sacrifice groceries.

  • drfuzzy on 14/12/2022 - 00:05
    +1

    conference at a Parisian chateau
    3 months secondment elsewhere in Europe
    Business / First flights
    Limo pickups
    Shares
    Bonus
    Phone
    Also included is absence of balance and work like an animal around the clock

    • CowFrogHorse on 14/12/2022 - 13:31

      Strange all you mentioned is more work… you didnt actually mention time off for family or friends ?

      One day you will be old and 80 and you would have nothing to show is more conferences and work occupying the past 60 years of your life.

      • drfuzzy on 15/12/2022 - 12:43
        +1

        I gave you a + vote to balance the negative.
        I completely agree with you.
        I work in an industry that isn't balanced.
        Then again those capable of working who sit home on welfare aren't balanced either.

        • CowFrogHorse on 15/12/2022 - 13:11

          Sure there are a lot of dole bludgers, but that has nothing to do with what i was highlighting.

          Well you arent doing yourself or anybody any favours by accepting all this extra work. Whats even sadder is you turn around and say this extra work is a perk.

          Unfortunately all these fools taking this shite means employers continue to try and take more and more from their staff and its a big race to the bottom.

          • drfuzzy on 15/12/2022 - 18:28

            @CowFrogHorse: I don't think it's a perk, it is a consequence of being hard working.
            It's totally fine if you prefer not to work hard at your job and do the bare minimum.
            We are in full employment right now. There is plenty of space for you, and you are welcome.
            When unemployment rises and it's time to cut the dead wood I'll be there for you, too.
            I'm a gentleman and will hold the door for you on your way out.

      • drfuzzy on 15/12/2022 - 18:32

        I'll be retired from it by late 40's.
        I'll send you a postcard.

  • LoserScott on 14/12/2022 - 01:12

    Redundancy

  • Ryballs on 14/12/2022 - 02:38

    Free membership at gym next to office, which I don't use as I WFH.

  • chasingstoke on 14/12/2022 - 06:25

    Paid travel time (from my front door back to my front door).
    Paid lunch breaks
    Meals and accom covered
    PPE covered
    xmas bonus and gift

    Makes an already enjoyable job even better. Makes looking for another job seem hard.

  • chocolatelover on 14/12/2022 - 07:52
    +2

    They pay me on time. 2023 looking like the year to make a move! Been in the pharmacy industry for 22 years and it's garbage. Get paid more as a cleaner!

  • ridgeroad on 14/12/2022 - 07:52
    +1

    Victorian Teacher here…
    * Adobe Creative Cloud is a big one for me. I would have to pay for it if I wasn't teaching.

    But that's about it. The school is chipping in less than $10 per person for a Christmas morning Tea, and we need to pay for our own Christmas BBQ - $35 - and that includes 0 drinks.

    If the government wanted to make a lot of teachers a lot happier, they would fix the broken salary packaging system and kick out the profiteers at SmartSalary who provide no benefit to us.

    • geekcohen on 14/12/2022 - 08:21

      But that's about it. The school is chipping in less than $10 per person for a Christmas morning Tea, and we need to pay for our own Christmas BBQ - $35 - and that includes 0 drinks.

      If the government wanted to make a lot of teachers a lot happier, they would fix the broken salary packaging system and kick out the profiteers at SmartSalary who provide no benefit to us.

      As a husband to a teacher, couldn't agree more! No wonder everyone is leaving teaching with all the crap that has to be done, put up with and little benefits.

  • geekcohen on 14/12/2022 - 08:26
    • WFH Full Time
    • Internet paid for
    • When in the office, free coffee
    • Salary Sacrificed Car
  • minniethemoocher on 14/12/2022 - 08:31
    +1

    Free hot water and filter cold water. Plus there are always paper towels around. Also free onsite wifi.

    • boostpak on 14/12/2022 - 09:31

      no coffee, tea, biscuits etc?

    • boostpak on 20/12/2022 - 22:05

      Bump

  • pjetson on 14/12/2022 - 08:42

    We get chocolate biscuits.

  • PrettyBrokeTBH on 14/12/2022 - 08:43
    +1

    11.5 weeks of holidays a year.

  • pharkurnell on 14/12/2022 - 08:58

    A xmas party where you bring your own food and cook it yourself in the carpark.

    • boostpak on 14/12/2022 - 09:30

      what happened exactly? details

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

        tomorrow… literally bring your food and cook it during lunchtime..

        • boostpak on 14/12/2022 - 13:03

          so you're meant to bring oil, a single patty, cut tomatoes, cut lettuce, two slices of bread and a slice of cheese with a plate in order to have a burger at work xmas lunch?

          • pharkurnell on 14/12/2022 - 15:55

            @boostpak: I guess if thats what you want to eat - then yes.

            Im not going in protest… as a few others are.. which probably works into their hands.

        • boostpak on 14/12/2022 - 13:04

          what industry/workplace?

  • CowFrogHorse on 14/12/2022 - 08:59
    -2

    So you think its a perk that they make you waste 10+ hours a week commuting to the office and for the bonus they pay nothing for your lost time ?

  • ellajay on 14/12/2022 - 09:35

    Pod machine and espresso machine stocked up.. a few free lunches/breakfasts a year and the occasional early knock-off.

    At our annual staff get together the CEO gave us all a 2k cash gift that just went into the next pay run. Was pretty happy with that.

  • metrosilver on 14/12/2022 - 10:18

    Worked a job in london where every month the 5 top performers would be taken out with the directors to a different michellin starred restaurant. Also had an end of year all expenses paid trip for everyone to a different overseas location(went to barcelona) every year.

    • lainey13 on 15/12/2022 - 11:20
      +1

      FBT in Australia makes those perks nonviable here

  • Contrice on 14/12/2022 - 10:32

    Cashing out unused sick leaves at the end of every year.

    • brawndo on 14/12/2022 - 10:52
      +2

      That sounds good until you actually need it

      • buckethat on 14/12/2022 - 11:47
        -1

        Well its the end of the year, so it resets anyway.

        • Goodbyemoff on 14/12/2022 - 13:57
          +1

          no…. it doesn't?

          It carries over year to year unless you change employer.
          And what if you get sick in January? You would have accrued no sick pay?

        • NigelTufnel on 14/12/2022 - 14:14

          My >120 days of accrued sick leave begs to differ. If your employer is resetting it without paying you out, then something is wrong.

          • buckethat on 14/12/2022 - 14:55

            @NigelTufnel: Oh.. I had no idea.. I always thought they get reset yearly.

            My current company doesn’t even show the balance in our payroll system.

            I worked in a company owned by Wesfarmers, and another big company prior to that and didn’t remember seeing sick leave balance in my payslips either.

            • Freighter on 15/12/2022 - 06:56

              @buckethat: I think some companies don't put sick leave on your payslip so you don't start taking "sick" days when you aren't. Although I thought they were called something else these days like personal days or something

              • happydude on 15/12/2022 - 18:08

                @Freighter: Exactly. When people see they have X sick day they feel inclined to use them. And yes, technically they are called personal days. You don't have to be sick. they can be used for other emergencies.

  • ChatCPT on 14/12/2022 - 10:42

    Just food really - but I think its very generous and makes the officeplace a wonderful place be in
    Detail for inspiration to other employers:

    Usual teas (but quite a selection - like 10 of the lipton flavours)
    Usual coffee - nespresso pods + machine
    Breakfast - 4 different cereals, two fridge full of vegies for those making salads - more importantly avocados!
    Quite nice items - good cheese, feta, really sweet gippsland yoghurt, bottles of nice olives, artichokes, beetroot etc
    Decent chips for Friday drinks, beers, wine and hard liquors - whatever we are into

    Birthdays - celebrated with decent cake and nibbles
    Work anniversaries (10y) with a full team lunch at $$ or $$$ restaurants + unlimited drinks tabs

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 15/12/2022 - 20:28

      It really doesn't cost a hell of a lot to keep employees happy. For me, A sausage sizzle once a month is good enough, but im easy to please…

  • Invisiblefreak on 14/12/2022 - 11:13
    • 9 day condensed hours fortnight
    • 5 extra well-being days a year
    • well being fund
    • WFH allowance for equipment
    • subsidised mobile phone bills
    • free team lunches
    • WFH 3 days a week

    Consulting industry

  • Duckie2hh on 14/12/2022 - 11:40

    free skin care products

  • bobolo on 14/12/2022 - 14:02
    +2

    When my staff go interstate or overseas for work, I include flights and accomodation for their spouse/kids to be with them if they choose to. Happy for them to take a day or 2 for themselves if its a week long trip etc.

  • socal on 14/12/2022 - 14:08

    Work for an IT managed service provider. Some perks below. I'm sure there is more but what I could think of.

    Training and exams paid for job-relevant certifications
    Extra day off for birthday each year
    Flexible start times
    Full time WFH (recent addition, requires approval from manager)
    Cash bonuses for successful referrals for new employees and customers
    Coffee machine (fresh beans, not pod) with all supplies included
    Beer fridge and ping pong table, though gets rarely used
    Undercover parking
    Cost price purchases through our suppliers (including internet at home)
    Mental wellness online tools
    Stacked social calendar throughout the year (average 1 event per month) all paid for by company
    Christmas party including partners paid for

  • [Deactivated] on 14/12/2022 - 14:16
    +1

    Quite a few volunteer emergency services orgs give you access to various schemes after probation. That's how I've got all the usual corporate stores, trade pricing at auto parts stores, and absolutely wild discounts with AVIS. Along with a few hundred other lesser stores bargains.

    You spend your time on the job and yes, money on little things (like phone chargers, headlamp torches) but I'm net up a few grand after car/truck hires, buying a full power tool set (saved like 40%), etc etc.

  • Shunter86 on 14/12/2022 - 15:00

    Fitness Passport rules. Just a shame me and my wife had to can ours because it's too hard to use with three littlies.

    • brianki on 14/12/2022 - 17:07

      Really? Why is that sorry? As in you dont have time or the system sucks for small kids? We have 14 month old twins so not had to navigate adding or subtracting kids just yet :)

      • Shunter86 on 14/12/2022 - 18:02
        +2

        We have three under 5, and the really good gym we were frequenting pre-kids is half an hour away. Just got time poor really quickly. Once they're a bit older we'll definitely sign back up for a family pass.

    • champakbhoomia on 14/12/2022 - 19:43

      What's the pricing on Fitness Passport ?

  • tehsnrub on 14/12/2022 - 18:43

    Mineral/metals refinery.
    1x LDO per month + 1 extra day to use whenever.
    Associate leasing available as well as the usual novated.
    About 12-14% super, depending on the annual bonus.
    Company paid TDP insurance (2.5x salary)
    Very good long term extended sick leave.

    Soon to have 60x EV charge bays with wholesale power pricing.

  • antigrate on 14/12/2022 - 19:16

    American tech company…

    $350/month towards private health cover of my choice, subsidised therapy sessions, $200 bonus per month to spend on whatever, 6 weeks paid medical leave (separate from annual leave), $750 annual "learning" subsidy, and stock options.

  • MassiveD on 14/12/2022 - 21:35

    We get:
    - gym
    - unlimited snacks and gym meals
    - free coffee from downstairs cafe
    - bean bags for naps
    - corporate discounts through flare app
    - access to free anonymous counciling
    - free alcoholic drinks after hours
    - pool table
    - table tennis table
    - a few more I probably can't think of right now.

    We're a communications form. Work hard play hard kind of place.

  • cycleri3 on 14/12/2022 - 22:00

    Free bananas.

  • polarq on 14/12/2022 - 23:38

    100% remote, can go to the office occasionally if required, up to me,
    Free gold private health care
    An extra holiday every quarter to "recharge"
    Lots of free snacks, soft drinks and coffee in the office but I don't use it and other events woth food

    Probably more but this is what comes to mind right now 🤔

  • Ahan on 15/12/2022 - 00:24
    -1

    Working at a big 4 accounting firm. I get
    Free fruit, breakfast
    Friday afternoon drinks
    WFH
    Half price car rental and very cheap 5 star hotels
    Marketing budget - taking clients for coffee and lunch using firm money

  • emblurr on 15/12/2022 - 01:43

    Salary sacrifice on a mobile and laptop once a year (about 40% off whatever cost price is)
    8% corporate savings at Medibank, Bupa, NIB.
    $250 per year for health and wellbeing purchases
    Social club with once monthly Open Bar! evenings in city.
    Pay for certification exams and $1000 bonus for passing the exam
    Refer other employees for $2000
    Employee Assistance Programs
    Gyms, lease, banks perks

  • ankor on 15/12/2022 - 01:55

    There's been near monthly lunches are really nice restaurants almost every month. The boss really appreciates us and we are getting Wagyu steaks and all that. Crazy!

    • ProlapsedHeinous on 15/12/2022 - 20:24

      Its probably a very cheap expense to make good returns for the boss!. keep up the good work!

  • Cheapascents on 15/12/2022 - 04:01

    $109 discount off my nbn internet bill every month, 20% discount on phone plans. ISP

  • Freighter on 15/12/2022 - 07:00

    Apprentice tradie (non union, small company):

    Sometimes we get a site shed with a microwave. Other times we get toilets that are a week past their due date to be cleaned.

    Use to work in a bakery, that was good. Used to get free hot chocolate/tea etc. Could make my own variations of pies/pastries etc. Free bread.

  • immrnonamehello on 15/12/2022 - 09:04

    Just finished up a job that provided brekky and lunch. Now this new job provides free private health (hospital and 80% extras) and internet/phone reimbursement.

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