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Do Developers Need Free Perks To Thrive?

Posted by timothy on from the man-does-not-live-by-free-bread-alone dept.

jammag writes "Free sodas, candy and energy bars can be surprisingly important to developers, says longtime coder Eric Spiegel. They need the perks, not to mention the caffeine boost. More important, free sodas from management are like the canary in the coal mine. If they get cut, then layoffs might be next. 'The sodas are just the wake-up call. If the culture changes to be focused more on cost-cutting than on innovation and creativity, then would you still want to work here? I wouldn't.' Are free perks really that important?"

2 of 524 comments (clear)

  1. Re:rather have money by Spudley · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just wait until you actually get sick. Then it will seem far less of a great deal.

    These plans are a scam, they are attempting to move the cost of healthcare onto the worker while still claiming to provide coverage. I would rather get no coverage and a raise so I can buy my own. Mind you that raise would need to be $1000+/month.

    Reading the above, I am *so* glad I live in a country with free healthcare for all.

    Sure, it's paid for by my taxes, and sure maybe that means my taxes are a bit higher than yours, but:

    1. If I lose my job and have no income, I'll still be covered.
    2. If I get sick and need expensive medical assistance, I won't be hit with higher premiums or be uninsurable for any conditions.
    3. If I'm in an accident and can't help myself my family won't need to dig through my files to find my insurance papers or pay up-front for anything.
    4. If I feel unwell, I can make a judgement about seeing a doctor based on how I feel, not on whether I can afford it.

    I honestly can't see how anyone who can make a sane argument against that.

    Yep, there are issues -- some people do abuse the system -- but I'd rather have that than the alternatives any day of the week.

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  2. Re:rather have money by KingMotley · · Score: 5, Informative

    Insurance companies have not paid out all dollars taken in for a long time. Investments are not needed for a great many to make huge profits.

    Citation please. Here's mine: http://www.statefarm.com/aboutus/_pdf/2012_annual_report.pdf

    2012 (in millions)
    Premium Earned $33,210
    Paid Claims $21,523
    Claim Expenses $5,240
    Service & Admin Fees $8,026
    ---
    Underwriting Gain or Loss ($1,579)

    So state farm, after paying out the claims, and overhead, lost $1.5 billion dollars in 2012. They made a profit because... "Investment Gain and Other Income" was $3,070, which covered the losses from paying out claims.

    Gameboyhippo was correct, and your "theory" is false.