Perks at work: Unconventional benefits can attract and keep employees

September 23, 2011

Perks at work: Unconventional benefits can attract and keep employees

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Big Fish Games employees Stephanie Shin (from left), Alisa Somova, Dennis Kendrick, Chris Eeds, Charlie Conlon, Alex O’Farrell and Eugene Gavrilyuk enjoy an ice-cream break arranged by the company’s “fun squad.” (January Fredericks / Big Fish Games)

By Karyn Johnson
Special to NWjobs

Despite an economy where many employers are struggling to maintain traditional employee benefits, some Seattle-area companies are offering unique perks to keep their employees satisfied and productive.

Happy hours, pet-friendly offices, ice-cream breaks and rooftop barbecues are just a few of the many nonstandard workday perks that local workers enjoy. While these perks may not line employees’ pockets, they can make work a richer experience.

At Seattle-based Big Fish Games, play isn’t only for customers. Employees ride scooters between offices and shoot Nerf darts at each other. Video games can be projected onto the game-room wall, encouraging communal play. The Big Fish “fun squad” recently arranged for two ice-cream trucks to swing by with free cones to celebrate a sunny Wednesday.

The atmosphere of teamwork and camaraderie fosters creativity and keeps employees committed to their work. “People who enjoy working are more productive,” says Susan Lusty, the public relations consultant at Big Fish Games.

Play is also important at REI’s Kent headquarters, where employees often arrange yoga or CrossFit classes during lunch breaks. An on-site dog park provides fresh air and a little play time for employees and their pooches.

REI’s commitment to the outdoors extends to its employees. “We don’t just say we have a mission to get people into the outdoors — we actually get our employees into the outdoors,” says the company’s rewards director, Beth Wright.

This mission includes grants for up to $300 in gear for personal challenges, which REI employees have used to climb Mount Rainier, bike the Pacific Coast Highway and run seven marathons in seven days.

Popular employee perks don’t always have to do with blowing off steam. At tech startup BigDoor, Chief Operating Officer Ring Nishioka says the company’s best benefit is its South Lake Union location, which allows it to bring in speakers from nearby tech companies.

This collaborative atmosphere is popular with current employees and a big draw to prospective ones. BigDoor also gives each of its developers a pair of high-definition headphones and allows employees to choose between Macs and PCs.

One important consideration for employers when they look at employee perks is work-life balance. “Companies large and small are realizing that happy employees are productive employees, and having family and personal time definitely makes for a happier work environment for all,” says Carrie Meredith, an executive assistant at Artitudes Design in Issaquah.

To this end, many extend nontraditional benefits to employees that go beyond their time at work, such as company-sponsored sports teams, theme parties and Mariners or Seahawks outings. Flexible scheduling allows employees to meet family and personal obligations.

Discounts on services, gym memberships, products and entertainment are also a big hit. In July, Microsoft hired Dave Matthews to play a private concert at Woodland Park Zoo for more than 1,000 summer interns, each of whom also received an Xbox 360 and Kinect.

Many companies encourage employees to show their philanthropic side. A 2011 report of employee benefits from the Society for Human Resource Management states that 40 percent of employers surveyed offer community volunteer programs.

At Artitudes Design, employees teach art classes at elementary schools and receive 40 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer for local or international nonprofits. Big Fish Games and REI employees are active with organizations such as the Washington Trails Association and Northwest Harvest, among others.

Nonstandard benefits are a contributing factor to having a company culture that attracts — and keeps — employees. BigDoor has managed to retain all of its tech employees since the company was founded in 2009, Nishioka says. REI, Big Fish Games and Artitudes Design each have been named best place to work multiple times by various publications, in part because of their perks.

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10 Comments

Call me old-fashioned on September 23, 2011 2:01 PM | Reply

Call me a prude -
How about adult perks for people who actually like growing up and don't want to have to pseudo smile around pretend BFFs all the time? Or has everyone agreed (because if you don't then people will grumble that you're a buzzstopper) that it's all now about cool-school perks such as foos-ball or mini-plastic comic toys in goodie bags -- the kinds of things coveted by man-children? I suppose as long as it's "cool" Seattle will do it. So much for practicality or genuine inclusivity.

chainedtothecomputer replied to comment from Call me old-fashioned

I concur! I used to work at one of these "best places to work" companies (Artitudes), until I was forced to work 10 hours a day/6days a week, plus an average of 3 hours a day at HOME after leaving the office, allowed to be verbally abused, and threatened on a consistent basis. I finally resigned, and life was so awesome! It should have won the "best place to quit working".

Party Flopper on September 23, 2011 2:08 PM | Reply

Speaking of which, where's the news coverage on today's visit of South Korean president Lee Myung-Bak?

Half of Seattle is shut down (not grumbling - happy to be host to ROK) and yet we're reading about fancy party breaks for so-called hip people.

Why aren't those same people and corporations hosting some sort of Q&R / round-table conversations with key foreign dignitaries - so we can actually learn from them rather than just having insular sugar-socials?

Now that'd be something different.

Boring and Content Commoner on September 23, 2011 2:15 PM | Reply

I guess as long as people "flock" to jobs that offer these so-called attractive perks, you won't actually have any real diversity. Just people that like the same apparently uncommon things - or are afraid to actually speak up and.... say something different. By all appearances not much differentiation happening in these companies.

MIke L. replied to comment from Boring and Content Commoner

At Artitudes if you spoke up, or stood up to the rampant harassment that was encouraged by the owner, you were set up, accused of some vague offense, and fired. Saw it happen 3 times myself! Once she had her giant husband come in and physically attack an employee!!!! What happened?? Nothing (He works for the Seahawks and I guess had some connections, because in spite of the witnesses and obvious bruising the cops did not care.

Appreciative Employee on September 23, 2011 2:40 PM | Reply

I think that more companies should take a look at these practices. In this economy, too many employers have given up on any kind of recognition or perks. Of course, health insurance, decent pay, and flex time are important, so I wouldn't want ice cream instead of these benefits. But as a break in the day, a way to clear one's head, and a way to feel that your employer values you as a person, I think these companies' perks are great ideas.

Lighten up a bit, people. We work for 40-50 years. Let's not do it all staring at a cubicle wall the whole time. Nicely written article.

Taszy on September 23, 2011 4:55 PM | Reply

I work for a company that has some extra perks like these. I love it. It fosters camaraderie, which makes it that much easier to work with everyone on projects. Also, it's just really nice to enjoy coming to work. I'm not into some of the things they offer (like happy hour), but they try to have a variety of extra perks so everyone is likely to get some little bonus. It's a great company and they get a lot of great work out of everyone because we feel valued rather than just automatons doing the work.

(As for the "man-children" person above, I'm female. Don't women enjoy things in your world?)

Anonymousy on September 23, 2011 6:38 PM | Reply

Hahaha, I love how one person seems to have posted two anonymous comments. With a transition. Nice cover up, there. The first two comments seem to be somewhat missing the point--also, "man-children"? Am I not allowed to enjoy perks and work in the gaming industry because I'm female? Or do you always just assume that women stay at home "in the kitchen"?
Also, to the person whining about people speaking up or whatever--What's your point? Half of what you said doesn't even make sense. How would "flocking" not make for diversity? I would think that it would logically create diversity in the work place. Also, the gaming industry is somewhat unique in that all of the producers, at least in video games, have to be very, very close and not only on the same page, but on the same word.

It sounds like the negative people are a tad miffed with the gaming companies, or at least the first commenter. For the record, you probably play at least three video games, or used to. One of the more recent games, I believe it's called "Half Life," it even being adapted into the workplace as an alternative to phone-in meetings. Not to mention the sophistication of the work behind all of the mechanics. And you call it childish. Amusing, you are.

Susan Curtis on September 23, 2011 6:48 PM | Reply

These perks become more important as work and personal life become more integrated with the rapid growth of technology. The companies who want to keep their workers happy so they’ll enjoy coming into work are the companies who will be more successful. They retain their workforce and make more money through higher productivity and lower turnover. This is a proven fact. There are many things changing in the way business is being run…these are good changes…good for the employer and good for the employees. It’s all good!

KM on September 26, 2011 11:29 AM | Reply

A $200 pair of headphones?

Pimping working in South Lake Union as a...benefit?

If people are actually foolish enough to fall for these I can't imagine the type of talent they attract.