5 companies with awesome perks everyone wants to work for

World Today

Photo by Edmund Garman on flickr.

Netflix has announced unlimited paid leave within the first year of birthing or adopting a child, which got us thinking – what are some other generous perks offered by companies? 

1. Netflix

Perks of Netflix - photo by Matt Perreault

Perks of Netflix – photo by Matt Perreault

Netflix already offers unlimited sick time, and they apparently don’t even keep track of when people come and go to work. They measure employee success by the work you get done – what a novel concept.

2. Zappos

The online retailer Zappos prides themselves on their Core Values, the Zappos family, their campus, and the way they work. Photo by Colleen on flickr

The online retailer Zappos prides themselves on their Core Values, the Zappos family, their campus, and the way they work. Photo by Colleen on flickr

How about working somewhere where there’s no bosses? At online retailer Zappos, employees are organized by a system called holacracy and all share equal responsibility. The company says each individual is empowered to make decisions, with group meetings being held to discuss ideas. BTW: Among a host of other perks, the company also offers pet insurance and free Weight-Watchers meetings.

3. Google

Google's headquarters in Central California's "Silicon Valley." Photo from the Yang and Yun's Album on flickr.

Google’s headquarters in Central California’s “Silicon Valley.” Photo from the Yang and Yun’s Album on flickr.

What list about company perks would be complete without tech giant Google? Google is widely regarded as having some of the best employee benefits known to man. They offer three free meals a day, free travel insurance (even on personal vacations) and on-site doctors. And according to CNN Money, they also offer an unusual benefit when there’s an unexpected death of an employee – they pay the surviving spouse (or domestic partner!) 50 percent of the decedent’s salary for ten years, and surviving children receive $1,000 per month until they reach adulthood.

4. Gravity Payments

CEO of credit card processing company, Dan Price..

CEO of credit card processing company, Dan Price.

Here’s a whole new meaning to the words “minimum wage”… Though not without its controversy, even by employees, in April CEO of credit card processing company Gravity Payments pledged to give all employees a minimum salary of $70,000.

5. SC Johnson

SC Johnson's motto is "A Family Company." Photo by Mike Mozart on flickr.

SC Johnson’s motto is “A Family Company.” Photo by Mike Mozart on flickr.

The people working behind household products like Pledge, Ziploc and Drano at SC Johnson are afforded a number of luxurious perks. For those looking for a rare gift, need a get a package in the mail, or don’t have time to grocery shop, the company provides a concierge service to handle life’s errands when there’s no time in the middle of a workday.