Consumerism Commentary - Latest Comments in How Do Your Job’s Benefits Compare?

Re: How Do Your Job’s Benefits Compare?

2million — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:39:37 -0000

I think the whole company benefits thing is a tricky thing to value. I think employees get used to benefits, expect them, and as a result don't correctly the benefit and hence offer little return to the employer.

I suspect most of us with health insurance through our employer would not acurately value the benefit provided by the employer (ie the subsidy kicked in my the employer). Same with other benefits.

I have thought that employers could get alot more value out of offering benefits that were temporary in nature or one time perks offered by the company. I recognize I might perceive more value in them because I can't assume I would get them or normally have to pay more for them so I can more accurately value the benefits.

Re: How Do Your Job’s Benefits Compare?

jim — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:57:42 -0000

I think it's funny when companies make boneheaded decisions like that, pinching pennies while ignoring pounds is ridiculous.

Re: How Do Your Job’s Benefits Compare?

ib — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:48:18 -0000

of all the DUMB ideas!
water cooler removal, sheesh. would potentially lose more in medical liability, etc. as not enough water can lead to kidney stones among other things. two people in my office have had those (k. stones) and we always Have water....
certain people need even more water such as those who are pregnant.
doesn't seem legal to not have some type of drinking water available.

Re: How Do Your Job’s Benefits Compare?

Harlan Landes — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 15:25:14 -0000

Absolutely. It might have saved a thousand dollars or two, but that's negligible. It definitely made a lot of people upset. The management in the division has completely changed since then and the attitude is much better. I joined this department at the right time.

Re: How Do Your Job’s Benefits Compare?

Kira — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 14:33:27 -0000

The little perks are what make people happier when they are actually at work. It's an immediate feeling, as opposed to the sort of global unhappiness that people get from not being paid well or not getting enough vacation. But taking away the watercooler is such a small expense that it seems hardly worth it for the excessive pissing-off it created.