Office Innovation: 4 Great Office Perks

Office perks once were limited to a private cubicle and mediocre coffee in the break room. Nowadays, companies basically compete against each other to provide the coolest, best, and most useful office and company perks possible.

Between biophilic design, death benefits, and barber shops, office perks vary wildly, but all benefit employees in some way. Let’s look at 5 great office perks that could (and should) become the norm in the near future.

1. Siemens: Office Plant Service

Siemens is an automation company focused on automating technology to provide solutions to a number of problems and industries including medical diagnostics, healthcare equipment, and the energy sector. It’s no wonder they have a Boston office to be close to the minds of Harvard, MIT, BU, and others.

In opening their new Boston office, they had a huge emphasis on creating a workspace that felt alive and brought their employees closer to nature. Thus, they hired a professional office plant service to create beautiful interior plantscapes. 

These plants do more than liven up the office. Office plants have been shown to improve both the mental and physical health of employees, which shows Siemens’ dedication to creating a healthy work environment for its employees. 

2. Google: Death Benefit

Google is well known for its fun and zany office perks that range from near-constant free food to amazing family leave to free gym memberships for all full-time employees.

Perhaps their most unique benefit, though, is their “Death Benefit.” What’s unique about this office perk is that it in no way benefits Google as a company. In fact, it causes them to lose a lot of money with its implementation.

What is it? The death benefit from Google states that, “if a Googler dies whilst they’re under the employment of Google, their spouse will receive 50% of their salary in a check for the next ten years.”

That’s a pretty amazing benefit and can truly save the lives of many once their loved one has passed on. Not only that, but, “each of the children of the deceased will also receive $1,000 a month until the age of 19 (or 23 if in full-time education).”

This amounts to a crazy amount of money if an employee does pass away, but it shows how dedicated Google is to helping their employees live safe lives and provide for their families.

3. Greentech: Office Perks Grow Over Time

It’s no secret that many of these office perks are designed to keep employees at a company for longer periods of time. These perks draw people in and make them want to stay, which is beneficial for a company since hiring a new employee is much more expensive than keeping current ones.

That’s likely where the idea from Greentech stemmed from. This energy & green tech media company has its perk system set up so that the perks get better and better the longer you’re employed with them.

To start, you’ll get awesome commuter benefits, on-site child care, car wash services, and more. The perks will continue to build as you stay with the company. For example, after six years with GreenTech, you’ll be given a six-week paid sabbatical to do whatever you’d like! Travel, relax, take a class, or whatever else you want… all on GreenTech’s dime!

4. Patagonia: Flexible Work Based on Weather

It should come as no surprise that the CEOs and other employees at Patagonia are all outdoorsy. This outdoor clothing and equipment company stays true to its brand and mission with its flexible work perk.

What does this mean? It means that depending on the weather, employees can leave work to go do outdoor activities whenever they want. 

Waves looking great? Leave the office for a quick surf session. Fresh powder? Hit the slopes. Nice and sunny? Time to skate. 

Patagonia encourages employees to use this office perk to pursue their passions and get outdoors so they can truly live up to the brand’s mission.