Hidden or Unknown Job Perks

  • When a company is recruiting they normally tell you about the job benefits and perks the company has to offer. Sometimes companies exagerate the benefis or perks. I usually expect this to some degree when I'm job searching.

    Thinking back over the last 16 years I've been working I've had a lot of hidden perks that HR departments didn't tell me about. My first job the company kept the refrigerators stocked with soda and Icecream bars. Some companies have allowed an extra day off for birthdays. One company I worked closely with the sales staff as a technical advisor and was taken to lunch at really nice restaraunts several times a week.

    Currently I've got a lot of little perks that help to make the job better. My favorite one isn't offered by my company but by where it is located. My company is located next to Cold Stone's corporate headquarters and about monthly Cold Stone has a charity event where they give a way free icecream and give their tips to the charity.

    Anybody else care to share a hidden perk?

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  • That's cool.

    I don't have a lot now, since I do the same job I did before I took this one 😛

    However at previous jobs I've had

    - monthly teambuilding. We funded it ourselves, but typically got a 1/2 day off to participate

    - a couple large BBQs at one company. Catered outside, with food, games, and a 1/2 day off after lunch. These were for about 400-500 people.

  • i work for an ISP and i've had 1500/1500 SDSL since 2002, for free. still have it but i use time warner cable now since it's the same price for cable/internet/phone as paying for vonage and basic cable

    if you have young kids, the biggest perk is a flexible schedule

    once a month we'll also get free cake and a free catered lunch. the food is a lot better after we moved to manhattan

    most of the IT people use the company cell phone for personal use. the rule is you can't use it but it's so many minutes that if you're not a heavy talker no one will care since the minutes will go to waste anyway

  • A perk that I have enjoyed that is not necessarily published is a flexible schedule. This has historically been a perk that has been earned.

    I have also worked at a place where they kept the fridge stocked with food and soda.

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
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  • Managers who give a darn is the best "perk" I've had. I've had the privilege to work with lots of them, at most of my jobs, but I've also had a few who lacked that, and missed it badly.

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  • GSquared (9/1/2010)


    Managers who give a darn is the best "perk" I've had. I've had the privilege to work with lots of them, at most of my jobs, but I've also had a few who lacked that, and missed it badly.

    That is high on the list for desired perks. I would add that a manager who knows what is going on is an excellent perk.

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
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  • I'd agree as well. It can be hard to find a good manager, and it can be a great perk.

  • But if you were at an interview and the manager tried to sell you the job by saying that s/he is a great manager I think I'd turn it down. I've found that they don't usually talk about training opportunities as a perk. Perhaps they really should though since that's pretty important.

    Oh and I had a job with a stocked beer fridge. The boss would also take us for a pint or two on Fridays sometimes to the bar across the street. Good times.

  • I work for a State Police agency. I have access to their training academy gym and flexible schedule so that I can take a 1.5-2hr lunch to workout. I've also gotten a couple breaks on speeding tickets (shhhhhh) 😉

  • Ian Massi (9/2/2010)


    But if you were at an interview and the manager tried to sell you the job by saying that s/he is a great manager I think I'd turn it down. I've found that they don't usually talk about training opportunities as a perk. Perhaps they really should though since that's pretty important.

    Oh and I had a job with a stocked beer fridge. The boss would also take us for a pint or two on Fridays sometimes to the bar across the street. Good times.

    True but the thrust of question is on perks they don't tell you about when you get hired. Not only do I agree with the good manager as a perk but working with people who you enjoy being around can also be a huge perk.

    Another little perk that has made a difference in my current job is they let me pick out and paid for my office chair. This might not sound like much but I sit in it 8+ hours a day and it's the first time I've ever really had an office chair I really like that supported my back.

    At one job the guy who shared the office with me and I both played guitar and we were encouraged to bring in our guitars and were given time to play during the day. However I was working 70 -90 hours a week. In hind sight I think I'd rather have worked less. :hehe::w00t::-D

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  • nice perk that i can think of is a nice laptop and smart phone of your choice

    i'd try to get a MacBook Pro since i don't want to spend $2000 on a laptop. for a phone it would have to be within the limits of the carrier they use

  • Great manager.

    Great director.

    Work from home three days a week.

    25 paid days of time off.

    Work laptop to use when working from home.

    On call for one week once every two months.

    Guaranteed bonus based on my performance and percentage of my pay.

    -SQLBill

  • SQLBill (9/2/2010)


    Great manager.

    Great director.

    Work from home three days a week.

    25 paid days of time off.

    Work laptop to use when working from home.

    On call for one week once every two months.

    Guaranteed bonus based on my performance and percentage of my pay.

    -SQLBill

    Those are some nice perks

    Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
    _______________________________________________
    I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
    SQL RNNR
    Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
    Learn Extended Events

  • I worked for a company where the owners were very active in PETA. They offered to pay for spay/neuter of any pets.

    I work for a cable company now, free internet, free tv & premium channels, discounted phone, discounted cell & discounts with a number of retail outlets and manufacturers.

  • SQLBill (9/2/2010)


    Great manager.

    Great director.

    Work from home three days a week.

    25 paid days of time off.

    Work laptop to use when working from home.

    On call for one week once every two months.

    Guaranteed bonus based on my performance and percentage of my pay.

    -SQLBill

    Wow...need any DBAs? 😉

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