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“Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office

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Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office

#11

Post by setgree »

whiddershins wrote: post #7

The one "perk" I think is uncommon but should be standard is nap rooms. There are just so many people who are happier, healthier, and do better work with a brief nap during the day. Unless you are walking distance from work, splitting your workday like that is infeasible without an office culture that supports it. And consequently unlike most perks, it can't be offset by a simple salary increase.

My WeWork offers plenty of de facto nap spaces (they're labeled as "phone booths"). the key is to have company culture support wandering away from your desk for 30 minutes during the day (a 15 minute nap takes me 30 minutes).

Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office

#12

Post by sandyarmstrong »

whipoodle wrote: post #3

I think the pet thing is more balanced than a straight up anti-perk, because in situations where everyone is happy with it, it can be very nice to have. But it's certainly not for everyone, and you don't want to make someone feel like they're the "spoiler" if everyone else is ok with it.

Who wants to be the wet blanket that complains that the dog is a problem for them?

Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office

#14

Post by whiddershins »

whipoodle wrote: post #3

I think the pet thing is more balanced than a straight up anti-perk, because in situations where everyone is happy with it, it can be very nice to have. But it's certainly not for everyone, and you don't want to make someone feel like they're the "spoiler" if everyone else is ok with it.

If I were runnning a similar company I would try to find out if a balance could be struck with structured "pet days" and "no pet days" ... I wonder if even that would be too uncomfortable though, for people who really fear/despise pets.

Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office

#15

Post by supercanuck »

Aren't perks that are offered to everyone tax deductible and perks for individuals not tax deductible?

and isn't it cheaper for us to provide dog walking services/chef services/kegs etc to everyone, than each person access to their own individual dog walker, paid lunch and paid for bar tab?

Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office

#17

Post by SOLAR_FIELDS »

whiddershins wrote: post #7

The one "perk" I think is uncommon but should be standard is nap rooms. There are just so many people who are happier, healthier, and do better work with a brief nap during the day. Unless you are walking distance from work, splitting your workday like that is infeasible without an office culture that supports it. And consequently unlike most perks, it can't be offset by a simple salary increase.

In the USA at least I think the negative social stigma associated with sleeping anywhere near your place of work has a lot to do with this. Obviously some places do have them; it just seems that it’s been one of the more difficult cultural beliefs to break free from when it comes to widespread adoption.

Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office

#20

Post by vaishaksuresh »

spamlord wrote: post #9

this place sounds like a nightmare to work at. no drinking, anti dog policies, no thanks.

Imagine how normal work places feel like to people who don't drink, are introverts and don't like to be greeted by dogs all the time.
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