The unemployment rate in the United States currently sits at about 4.1 percent, the lowest it has been in nearly two decades. That has put job seekers back in control of the job market, particularly in the tech industry. While there are reports that salaries are finally on the upswing after years of stagnation, it’s not just about the money for many employees.
Career site Glassdoor reports that nearly 60 percent of all workers say perks and benefits are among their top employment considerations, and almost 80 percent of employees say they would opt for new benefits over a pay raise. Perhaps that’s not too surprising, given that the average person spends 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime.
Companies like Google and Facebook are famous for their full-service campuses that sound like an adult version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, from its gourmet food to the Wi-Fi enabled buses that ferry workers to and from the facility.
However, Google and Facebook aren’t the only cool companies to work for. There are plenty of big corporations and startups that offer perks and a unique company culture that helps attract and retain the best employees, with benefits for both employer and employee. Many are related to helping employees maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as offering free health-conscious food or subsidized gym memberships. The benefit here is obvious as companies spend more than 7 percent of their budget on health care costs.
Other perks just seem like fun, from hosting soccer tournaments to jamming in the company’s music studio. Companies that show employees are a top priority are seeing a payoff in their bottom line.
Here are 17 successful companies that can give anyone company culture envy: