4 ms·

As a somewhat frugal person, I feel really uncomfortable when companies buy me unnecessary things (that could be going into my salary...). SV sounds like it's

by Joof 10y ago

As a somewhat frugal person, I feel really uncomfortable when companies buy me unnecessary things (that could be going into my salary...). SV sounds like it's becoming a nicer place to work to be honest.

pipeep 10y ago
I think employer provided food isn't currently taxed, which is a huge benefit. http://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-cafeterias-whet-appetite-of-irs-1409612488 http://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-cafeterias-whet-a...
- Joof 10y ago
  And it's clearly there so employees can get back to work faster and stay on location for lunch. Is it more efficient to have catered rather than outside food? Does it taste better? Is it healthier? It's hard to say. I think the companies around there will keep catering around. A lot of excess is more blatant.
  - qq66 10y ago
    Dropbox food is better tasting and healthier than neighborhood lunch options, which are also very expensive (I've seen $16 sandwiches)!
danieldk 10y ago
As a somewhat frugal person, I feel really uncomfortable when companies buy me unnecessary things (that could be going into my salary...). But it wouldn't go into your salary. As far as I've always understood it the goals of perks is, besides attracting new talent, to keep people on premises as long as possible.
- rdtsc 10y ago
  It is very impressive to younger college graduates. When you go from eating cheapest pizza and pinching pennies, something as simple as free dinner sounds like a lavish perk. Throw in free shuttles, massages, etc, you'd find they'd be really happy and tell their friends too. It is probably worth it to the company in terms of keeping people there, having them enjoy their day etc more than just paying that to each employee as part of the salary and have them buy their own dinners.
  - Joof 10y ago
    That's nice. Everyone is different and different things make them happy.
    - rdtsc 10y ago
      I wasn't saying I personally agree, I would rather have that money in my paycheck. But given their audience and the cost benefits analysis -- it does seem to make sense.
- Joof 10y ago
  Yeah, I'm well aware of both these things.
eva1984 10y ago
Somewhat similar, just don't care. They did it so intentionally that makes you feel if you don't work your ass off, you didn't deserve such a good company! But I just ignore them if they are not essential.

by Joof 10y ago

pipeep 10y ago

I think employer provided food isn't currently taxed, which is a huge benefit. http://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-cafeterias-whet-appetite-of-irs-1409612488 http://www.wsj.com/articles/silicon-valley-cafeterias-whet-a...

Joof 10y ago
And it's clearly there so employees can get back to work faster and stay on location for lunch. Is it more efficient to have catered rather than outside food? Does it taste better? Is it healthier? It's hard to say. I think the companies around there will keep catering around. A lot of excess is more blatant.
- qq66 10y ago
  Dropbox food is better tasting and healthier than neighborhood lunch options, which are also very expensive (I've seen $16 sandwiches)!

danieldk 10y ago

As a somewhat frugal person, I feel really uncomfortable when companies buy me unnecessary things (that could be going into my salary...). But it wouldn't go into your salary. As far as I've always understood it the goals of perks is, besides attracting new talent, to keep people on premises as long as possible.

rdtsc 10y ago
It is very impressive to younger college graduates. When you go from eating cheapest pizza and pinching pennies, something as simple as free dinner sounds like a lavish perk. Throw in free shuttles, massages, etc, you'd find they'd be really happy and tell their friends too. It is probably worth it to the company in terms of keeping people there, having them enjoy their day etc more than just paying that to each employee as part of the salary and have them buy their own dinners.
- Joof 10y ago
  That's nice. Everyone is different and different things make them happy.
  - rdtsc 10y ago
    I wasn't saying I personally agree, I would rather have that money in my paycheck. But given their audience and the cost benefits analysis -- it does seem to make sense.
Joof 10y ago
Yeah, I'm well aware of both these things.

eva1984 10y ago

Somewhat similar, just don't care. They did it so intentionally that makes you feel if you don't work your ass off, you didn't deserve such a good company! But I just ignore them if they are not essential.