Are Job Perks Coming into Vogue Again?

Pharmboy asks: "The Register is reporting on a company that was awarded 'Best Small Company to Work for in America' by the Detroit Free Press, in part, for providing Free beer to their employees. They offer free breakfast, lunch AND dinner, gym and snacks. This sounds similar to the late 90s, where companies were offering extreme benefits to attract extreme talent, before the bubble burst and most workers were just glad to have a job. As the job market gains strength, what are companies willing to do in order to attract the best talent? Are we about to enter another era where employers are willing to make work fun again, in order to attract and keep talent? Will this have any effect on other employers, forcing them to again offer benefits to keep pace and talent? How important are these kinds of perks to the average employee anyway? What kind of perks would you have to have to switch to a job that pay the same?"

Comments

Re:Here's what I want

[nlindstrom]

Preferably covered in hot grits.

You forgot to have them petrified first.

Re:stronger?

[mtrupe]

Maybe you should check the news. The unemployment rate has been dropping for some time now. Employers are hiring again (to be expected), and many are realizing that outsourcing didn't save any money (in many cases, it cost even more to outsource).

I don't know--- I have had 3 job offers in the past month, two of which came this week, and all of which offer salaries similar to those of the late 99-2000. The job market is coming back. Despite what all the doom and gloomers like to say, these things do go up and down. We're coming out of a down cycle.

By the way- I went to my current employer and told them about my offer. They are countering. Oh yes, the job market is back (I am a software engineer).

Re:Your questions answered!

[Nova Express]

> I would happily switch to a job that paid the same, but wouldn't require me to work.

Ah, so you're voting for Kerry, then...