Mike Barnard, 25 August 2007
Salaries and job satisfaction are two perks which are vital wherever you work, but sometimes you can get a little bit extra. For many, perks help them get out of bed every morning during the week: when Second Post asked its users how important employee packages are, almost half said they were an essential part of a good job. Aside from pensions, company cars and extra holiday entitlement, here is a selection of the more unconventional perks you might be lucky enough to benefit from.
Company offers
The first place to look for additional perks is close to home: the company you work for. To keep you coming back to the office you might be given discounts on consumer goods, gym membership and subsidised nights out or even free ice cream, table football in your office and a Nintendo Wii like us here at Milkround Online HQ!
Birthday treats
Some companies make you work on your birthday and send you home with a pat on your back. But others get you cake, sing you "Happy Birthday" and shower you with a gift or two along with a card signed by everyone in the company. If it is the latter, keep your fingers crossed you aren't forgotten and prepare to be embarrassed.
Freebies
Journalists are prime examples of people who get more for their labour. Free CDs, film previews, clothes and other promotional activities such as parties and all expenses paid trips are touted to the media with a frequency that ensures they stay contented. But there are often opportunities for free things whatever job you are in. If you do go down the journalist route, make sure you are working in an area of real personal interest – heavy metal fans probably wouldn't want to be sent every cheesy girl group album while writing for a chart-based magazine.
Green travel incentives
Reducing carbon footprints to help the fight against climate change is being taken to heart by many businesses. You might find you can get discount commuter travel on buses and trains, or even get a discounted bike to cycle into work.