17 companies with savvy benefits
July 12, 2017 12:00 PM
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While paying for top talent is important, studies consistently show that money isnt the only thing that makes people happy at work. The Financial Post compiled a list of 17 companies that offer some pretty amazing benefits and perks.
[Image: Fotolia]
[Image: Fotolia]
Fortune magazine has consistently listed Google as the No. 1 best company to work each year. The company offers free food, an on-campus gym, a bowling alley, game room and basketball courts. On top of that, employees can also find a barber shop, massage parlor and a laundromat.
Cisco Systems
Cisco's Health Center is more than just fitness. Its LifeConnections Health Center also provides employees with primary care, physical therapy, acupuncture and there is even an on-site pharmacy. Cisco says it believes in a strong work-life balance, so it also provides employees with telecommuting technologies like data and voice services for a home-office experience.
SC Johnson
The Wisconsin-based cleaning supply company believes its employees are family, and as such offers employees access to a concierge service that does everything from returning overdue library books to making sure dry cleaning is picked up on time. Additionally, the company provides child care for parents, paternity and maternity leave, and paid sabbaticals.
Southwest Airlines
Free flights for themselves as well as family and friends. Enough said. Also, the company gives its employees access to discounts with a handful of other companies including other airlines, hotels, theme parks and rental car companies.
General Mills
Another work-life balance advocate, General Mills starts all new hires immediately with three weeks of paid vacation. On top of that, the company provides flexible telecommuting and for those who go to the Minneapolis headquarters, a flexible seating schedule instead of assigned seating, employees can work from any part of the office where they are most comfortable.
Chesapeake Energy
One of the nations largest natural gas producers, the Oklahoma City employer provides its workers and their families with half-price SCUBA diving lessons. Then, once certified, the employer also helps organize trips to exotic locations such Cozumel, Mexico. For those not wanting to get their feet wet, the companys headquarters also has a giant indoor rock climbing wall for employees to use.
J.M. Smucker Company
The Ohio employer starts its relationship off on the right foot with every employee, sending a new-hire gift basket to their home. In addition, the company provides a 100% tuition reimbursement program to its employees with no cap on costs, as well as free technical training in the event they would like to learn a new workplace skill.
Yahoo
Yahoo offers perks both in and out of the office. The Yahoo offices have on-site fitness centers with yoga, cardio-kickboxing, pilates and golf classes. The offices are also equipped with ergonomic support chairs, plus healthy snacks and drinks on every floor. Outside the office, Yahoo offers discounts to ski resorts and California theme parks. The company will even throw a baby shower for employees who become parents.
Quinn Emanuel
The law firm Quinn Emanuel says it gives its lawyers a $2,000 allowance to work one week a year from anywhere in the world so long as they work their normal hours. Additionally, the office provides a casual dress policy to increase creativity and evaluates its prospective summer associates at parties on law school campuses, rather than a stuffy office interview.
Boeing
To celebrate inclusivity, new employees at Boeing are connected through what the employer calls the REACH program, setting up employees up with community service and social activities. The icing on the cake from the aerospace and defense company is a schedule that includes 12 paid holidays and a winter recess between Christmas and New Years Day.
Mattel
As a childrens toy maker, Mattel offers several child-related programs such as one that defrays the costs in pursuing an adoption, and another policy that offers 16 hours of paid time off for school-related absences such as parent-teacher conferences or field trips.
Microsoft
Microsoft gives new parents paid maternity and paternity leave. Also, the company provides a network of support systems, such as mentoring programs and health care coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, which treats autism a first major corporation to offer this unique benefit.
The World Wildlife Fund
What the nonprofit calls Panda Friday, employees work a little extra throughout the week to have every other Friday off. The company also points that shutting down the office saves energy and reduces its carbon footprint.
Oshkosh Corporation
The truck and military vehicle manufacturer shows loyalty to its employees through extensive training and advancement opportunities, as well as tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees. Additionally, the employer lists job opportunities specific for internal candidates, and hosts a rotational engineer program that provides engineers the ability to learn a variety of other skills.
3M
3M Corporation offers a host of health and wellness programs to its employees. The company offers life insurance and retirement plans on top of the standard medical, dental and vision perks and extends those same benefits to same-sex couples in domestic partnerships. Also, the company provides child- and eldercare consulting services, smoking cessation programs, weight management reimbursements and stress management coaching.
TIAA-CREF
A sports addict? TIAA-CREF gives its employees access to the corporate athletic program which allows employees to play up to six sports on site, as well the Toastmasters communication development program for leadership development.
Epic Systems
Loyalty is valued by this health care technology company, as it gives a month-long paid vacation to employees after five years. Whats better, if it is in a never-before-visited country, Epic will help pay most of the travel expenses for the employee and a friend. Also, when at the office, the Wisconsin campus features an Indiana Jones-themed tunnel, a tree-house conference room, a moat and plenty of green space for outdoor activities.
