Google sets the standard for a happy work environment

Google is the place to work according to Fortune magazine, which listed the top 50 companies to work for. Google appears as a top contender for most features, including unusual perks, cafeterias, health coverage, and work environment. Most of the other companies that made it to the top 50 only excel in one or two areas. This is the second year in a row that Google has managed to capture the number one position in Fortune’s company review.

Standard benefits offered by Google include 100% healthcare coverage and on-site childcare. Additionally, new moms are entitled to 18 weeks of paid maternity leave while dads get 7 weeks. Some perks that aren’t quite standard include 17 cafeterias that offer free food to all employees.

The rule at Google is that no staff member should be more than 100 feet away from a food source. That’s not to say they only have access to junk food vending machines, or that cafeterias offer quick, easy, and fatty meals. Chefs of the highest caliber prepare a variety of meals, with unique variations on daily meals. The macaroni and cheese, for example, comes with wild mushrooms and truffles.

They also have a strong interest in environmental conservation and have a department dedicated to researching “green” technologies. Google does its best to be as energy efficient as possible, which is a mindset that is encouraged in its employees. In the spirit of energy conservation, they subsidize staff members who purchase hybrid or electric cars to the tune of $1000. California-based employees are entitled to special discounts if they install solar panels on their homes.

Google is also quite unique in that it has a policy that allows passionate animal lovers to bring their beloved pets to work. The obvious condition is that the various dogs, cats, and assorted others must be reasonably well behaved and house trained. It has been reported in The Inquirer UK that the pet policy is under review, after a misbehaving python pet created chaos and terror at the New York branch.

Bingham McCutchen only made it to 41st on the list, but he’s the number one firm when it comes to high-salary packages. The law firm is known for hiring promising law school graduates for a whopping $160,000 a year. Their legal secretaries, whose importance is often overlooked by other firms, earn an average of $69,000 a year. This is higher than what some managers at other companies earn. The average salary for Bingham McCutchen staff is $211,017 per year.

eBay San Jose campuses have special de-stress areas for employees who need a bit of serenity and relaxation. Rooms with comfortable pillows and tatami mats are ideal for midday prayer and meditation, so staff can return to work refreshed and revitalized.

Camden Property Trust grants a 20% discount to employees living in company apartment complexes. Staff members going on vacation can also use fully furnished apartments for just $20 per night.

Nike is one of the most socially conscious companies to work for, as employees in the Portland office volunteer as Portland Mountain Rescuers. They respond to emergencies at any time, no matter what they are doing or how important it is. When prospective employees are interviewed and warned about the possibility of their work being interrupted by mountain searches, the standard response is “what’s more important, saving lives or selling shoes?”

The one thing all the companies on the Top 50 list have in common is that they all realize that a company is only as good as its employees, so they go to great lengths to ensure staff happiness and satisfaction. Staff turnover is low, while job satisfaction is high. Who wouldn’t want to work for a company that rents out an entire movie theater for a day so their staff can catch a blockbuster movie on its opening date?

Recommended site:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2008/snapshots/1.html

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