“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
#2I'm not sure I've ever had whiplash as extreme as the point of this article where I thought to myself, "Well finally, someone pushing back against the excesses of VC-funded culture" and the line "we will compensate our employees for a dog-sitter (via a flexible health and wellness stipend)."
Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office
#3I 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.
Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office
#4I'm not sure I've ever had whiplash as extreme as the point of this article where I thought to myself, "Well finally, someone pushing back against the excesses of VC-funded culture" and the line "we will compensate our employees for a dog-sitter (via a flexible health and wellness stipend)."
A flex health and wellness stipend is a fairly regular perk of even large businesses, and it is usually this lax. Mine can be used for an Apple Watch, for instance (due to its heart rate monitor).
Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office
#5I'm not sure I've ever had whiplash as extreme as the point of this article where I thought to myself, "Well finally, someone pushing back against the excesses of VC-funded culture" and the line "we will compensate our employees for a dog-sitter (via a flexible health and wellness stipend)."
I agree that it feels weird, but wouldn't this fund also help pay for a babysitter? It doesn't seem too unreasonable to consider your pet as a member of the family.
Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office
#6Most in-office catered lunches are a lot more healthy than a burger or pizza.
Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office
#7The 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.
Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office
#8I'm not sure I've ever had whiplash as extreme as the point of this article where I thought to myself, "Well finally, someone pushing back against the excesses of VC-funded culture" and the line "we will compensate our employees for a dog-sitter (via a flexible health and wellness stipend)."
Actually, it could address an interesting issue depending on how it is implemented. If you gave team members a 'perks' stipend you could tax it appropriately, and you could have your employee spend it on the things that were important to them. Then create a way to scan your badge to access a perk and voila, custom perks.
No, I don't actually think it is workable, the two arguments that will pop up immediately are :
1) Just give me more money.
2) I don't want you to know which perks I use
Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office
#9this place sounds like a nightmare to work at. no drinking, anti dog policies, no thanks.
Re: “Anti-perks”: what our startup doesn't want in our office
#10I 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.
It very much depends on the pet for me. I love having pets that have a very relaxing vibe to them. It makes the place as a whole feel more relaxing. Those dogs that run around and have their play time at work are the worst.