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In a non-cynical mode: 1) turns your employees into neighbours 2) reduces wasted commute time 3) increases exercise compared to drivers (10 mins is better th

In a non-cynical mode: 1) turns your employees into neighbours 2) reduces wasted commute time 3) increases exercise compared to drivers (10 mins is better than nothing (edit: twice a day!)) thus reducing medical costs 4) reduces absenteeism due to dental appointments, kid concerts, etc that tend to be near home. Improves family life. 5) reduces the carbon footprint of the business 6) reduces the car-related absenteeism: breakdowns, maintenance appointments, even injuries and deaths. Increasing salaries would do none of these things.

robotresearcher 13y ago
Oh boy, I just thought of a really good one: Some parents with young children find it difficult to get time to be alone in private while not exhausted. This can cause awful stress on a relationship. "Lunchtime" with a partner at home can make a big difference. This might not sound like a big deal to the pre-kid people, or those with tons of energy after the kids are in bed, but for some people this is a relationship-saver.
- monkeynotes 13y ago
  Lunchtime at home? Better hope you are not on lunch making duty at the office, it's company culture don't you know. You do want to be a team player don't you? Besides, how reasonable is it to expect to be able to raise a family in downtown SF? Surely if you want space, good schools, and room to grow an extra $500 in downtown rent terms isn't going to make that much of a difference.
  - robotresearcher 13y ago
    Doesn't have to be every day. Doesn't have to be SF. And $500 makes $500 difference* no matter where you are. Edit: (* ok, maybe $300 difference after taxes.)
    - deleted 13y ago
      [deleted]
stevesearer 13y ago
Exactly. There are many reasons why an employer might want to give a stipend for (fill in desired behavior) as opposed to just increasing pay. Some companies give stipends to employees who commute using public transportation. They could just give everyone a raise to cover those fees, but tying the stipend to the behavior actually encourages people to do it.

robotresearcher 13y ago

Oh boy, I just thought of a really good one: Some parents with young children find it difficult to get time to be alone in private while not exhausted. This can cause awful stress on a relationship. "Lunchtime" with a partner at home can make a big difference. This might not sound like a big deal to the pre-kid people, or those with tons of energy after the kids are in bed, but for some people this is a relationship-saver.

monkeynotes 13y ago
Lunchtime at home? Better hope you are not on lunch making duty at the office, it's company culture don't you know. You do want to be a team player don't you? Besides, how reasonable is it to expect to be able to raise a family in downtown SF? Surely if you want space, good schools, and room to grow an extra $500 in downtown rent terms isn't going to make that much of a difference.
- robotresearcher 13y ago
  Doesn't have to be every day. Doesn't have to be SF. And $500 makes $500 difference* no matter where you are. Edit: (* ok, maybe $300 difference after taxes.)
  - deleted 13y ago
    [deleted]

stevesearer 13y ago

Exactly. There are many reasons why an employer might want to give a stipend for (fill in desired behavior) as opposed to just increasing pay. Some companies give stipends to employees who commute using public transportation. They could just give everyone a raise to cover those fees, but tying the stipend to the behavior actually encourages people to do it.