19 May
Pimp my Job: Perks at Work
I believe that perks in a job can sometimes make up for a crap salary, especially if you enjoy your work and you are getting stuff for free which you’d have paid for otherwise. Most jobs have perks of some kind, and having friends who get perks can rub off when they get bored and start passing their free stuff over to you.
Perks I’ve had in jobs (or as a result of jobs):
- Overseas accommodation. When I was teaching overseas I made friends with students from all around the world who said I was always welcome in their country. Handy contacts for a frequent traveler!
- TV. I’ve worked in a job where watching TV was compulsory. Yay! (Same with Internet, but I now consider that a right more than a perk.)
- Development courses. Some workplaces have encouraged me to upskill and would happily send me off on paid courses like How to Make Awesome Coffee and Answer the Phone Like You Mean It.
- Free magazines. Working for a magazine company means you get all the mags for free, on your desk. Sweet.
- Free makeup, free movie tickets, food, books, CDs… Being a reviewer can be a handy thing.
- Pension scheme. Sadly I didn’t stick around long enough for it to add up to more than $1500 (hardly a life of abundance as an old lady). But I did invest it into Google and it’s growing…
Perks I haven’t had yet but would like to:
- Paid trips overseas. I’ve been paid for writing while traveling but never actually sent anywhere for anything. It can backfire though; friends of mine who’ve done it for work report that it can be exhausting with crap conditions. Still…
- Salary bonuses. I have yet to work somewhere where employees get an annual bonus depending on how well the company has performed.
- Stocks in the company. If it’s a good company.
- Company car. Although that probably means you’re expected to drive around to a lot of yawnfest meetings.
What about you? Had any perks at work or seeking any? C’mon people, I’ve turned off Don’t Follow tags in comments, so don’t be a shy lurker!
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Posted
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Saturday, May 19th, 2007 at 10:55 am
under
My work has zero perks…except for a great retirement plan and benefits, but that’s not what you were talking about…If I go to talks, I get some free food…oh, and last week, I got free lunch and a lame compass for attending a product type convention across the street.
May 21st, 2007 at 9:12 amHi SavingDiva,
I think a good retirement plan is definitely a benefit. The last place I worked for didn’t have one and it bothered me.
I have a writer friend who gets wined and dined by PR companies at top restaurants which would be nice, although then of course they expect stuff in return. There’s always that side of perks.
May 21st, 2007 at 10:32 amFree entrance and beer at music events when I worked as a promoter / reviewer for a regional record label. Also lots of free music.
September 12th, 2007 at 2:00 am