A long long timeago in a galaxy far, far away...Google was born. This long time ago was 1998, and this galaxy was Menlo Park, CA.
Google has become one of the best places to work in just a 16 year span. They are one of the most profitable companies in the world and its shown by how much they've grown.
Employees who work for Google, affectionately named Googlers, are among the happiest in the world.
It's no surprise that the company perks offered for employees are similar to those of a high-end country club.
Last year, we compiled a list of the amazing perks that come with working for Google. The company has only grown since then, and so have the benefits. So we added a few more.
Why should you work at Google? Well...
The People
Google doesn't allow just anyone to work for them, they take only the best of the best. Potential employees come from the world's top universities and programs, and boast talents and unmatched intelligence.
To become part of the team, potential employees have to be highly qualified and go through extensive interviewing, background checks and training before they really become Googlers. Once part of the team, they are responsible for promoting the inspiring and healthy work environment.
The only downside to this would be that an inferiority complex is definitely possible. So while you may be genius-y enough to work at Google, there's a chance the guy at the cubicle next to you is even more genius-y. Warning: inferiority complex is a possible side-effect.
Travel Benefits
You know that travel insurance that you never really buy but always kind of fret over? Well, at Google they pick up the tab for you.
Googlers are always covered with travel insurance and emergency assistance while they are away. This isn't just for business-related travel, by the way. Their travel insurance extends to their family members, and even to their personal vacations.
Full-Service Transportation
Car problems, gas money, car-pooling and tolls are no problem for Googlers. The company provides a biodiesel shuttle bus to all employees; the bus is equipped with luxury seating and even Wifi, and it runs on a frequent basis. Googlers don't worry about gas money, and the corporation makes a statement by helping to lessen their carbon footprint.
The company also boasts an electric car-share program that is available to all employees. And for those with their own electric cars who choose to drive to work, plug-in charging stations are available on site.
Beyond all of this, if you don't feel like traveling in a car or need to get moving outside, just hop on one of the gBikes - they provide a fleet of them on-campus.
Playroom
Although it seems like there may be no stress at all involved in working at Google, but like any multi-billion dollar company,anxiety is inevitable.
So, if any Googler is feeling stressed or needs a break, he/she is welcome to venture into the playroom where there is access to ping-pong, billards, foosball, video games and a ton of other activities to blow off steam and relieve stress.
We kind of have that at The DSM Group also...I would say our mini putting area counts as a playroom, right?
Sneak Peeks into the Future
You know all those awesome Google products and services we obsess over/can't live without? Like the Internet platform I'm using right now, Google Chrome.
Well, if you work at Google, you get to try all of these products before everyone else. Before Google releases products to customers, they invite all of their employees to try them out. Awesome!
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Google structures its maternity and paternity leave programs for new parents in a forward-thinking, innovative way. New moms can take 18 weeks of leave and new dads can take 6 weeks after the birth of their child.
Not only do they get the time off, but they still receive pay, bonuses and employee stocks in full throughout their time off. They just started another program in which these new parents are eleigible to get an additional bonus called Baby Bonding Bucks, which provides monetary aid for baby expenses such as diapers and formula.
80/20 Rule
One of the most famous benefits of working at Google is the 80/20 rule. This rule asks Googlers to spend 20 percent of their time each week (during work hours) to work on a personal project. Google does this to alleviate stress and allow your mind to refocus when you have a lot on your plate.
Employees can spend an entire day a week at work working on something of their own, which is an awesome way to incorporate their passions and talents into their work. The best part is that it isn't a suggestion, it is a requirement.
Healthcare
On-site medical staff is a major feature of the Google healthcare plan. If any employee suffers an injury or feels ill while at work, they can schedule an appointment with a doctor at the Googleplex.
Even if you're not sick but want to get a health and wellness consultation, Google hooks you up. Schedule a free appointment with a wellness counselor who will check out where you are at health-wise.
The healthcare plans are made to benefit not only the employee, but the family as well. The options are extensive and ensure the Googler and subsequent family members are well taken care of.
Free Food
Regardless of how long ago the glory days of living in a tiny dorm are for you, you can attest to the fact a sign advertising free food on campus is enough to entice anyone to do just about anything. At Google, it's no different.
At Google's global headquarters in California, the Googleplex boasts over 25 cafes serving a variety of foods - for free. Employees are welcome to eat three meals a day at any of the cafes, most of which are organic and/or provide locally grown options. Google goes the extra mile to color-code the food to illustrate how healthy something is, which adds to the sense of caring Google seems to have about the well-being of its employees.
The New York-based office is not far behind this. Their building boasts a full-service (and free) dessert truck - INSIDE the building. So cool.
Laundry Rooms
Also like college, doing laundry on a Monday after a busy weekend is just not appealing. Well, doing laundry ever is really just not that appealing. But at Google, you can just bring your laundry to work!
If Googlers spill a fancy juice or coffee (from one of the 25 cafes) on their (very casual) workwear, or if they just need to bring in their weekly laundry, they can use one of the free laundry rooms located on campus.
In addition to the washers and dryers, dry cleaning services are offered to employees as well. Stop wasting your time and money at the very expensive laundromats and drycleaners, and start working at Google.
Death Policy
That's kind of a scary subheader, I know. But the point of this perk is to lessen the terrible burden that is losing a family member.
If a Google employee dies, the company policy ensures that their family members are not left alone. For the next 10 years, their spouse is given half the Google worker's pay each year. Google has also created programs to grant their children compensation as well.
If that isn't caring for an employee's entire well-being (i.e. the family), I don't know what is.
Brain Expansion
Google only hires the most intelligent people in their field. And the mega company wants its employees to grow. For any classes, degree programs or certifications you attain (that will further your knowledge in your department), Google will reimburse you.
Not only does Google allow you to leave to learn, but they also offer dozens of on-site lectures from a variety of speakers. Take an hour break from your desk to learn from a new series or tech talk offered by the company.
TGIF (and There's Alcohol)
Friday culture is huge at Google. Every week, all Googlers are welcome to free beer and wine to enjoy while they work. Don't drink? Don't worry, there is a party offered for the whole team as well, an office-wide TGIF party!
In addition to this, Googlers are allowed to drink on the job on a regular basis. The company beleives it gives the work enviorment a friendlier, more laidback feel, which contribues to a more productive workplace.
I mean hey, it works at our office. Why wouldn't it work at Google?
Salon and Spa Services
This may sound so absurd that it couldn't be possible, but it is. Seriously, does anyone do work there? Or really, does anyone ever leave? Is there a Four Seasons on-campus for the Googlers who just never want to go home?
When you're needing a trim but don't have time to run out and get a haircut, Google has you covered. Just call up and schedule an appointment and get your haircut on the job, for free.
Feeling a little tense? Use the money you saved from not buying food or paying for haircuts and get a massage on-site. Yup, for a small fee you can get a private massage from a licensed therapist.
New York takes it even further (of course), with free once a week eye-brow shaping sessions. I wish I were kidding about that one.
Health and Fitness
No corporate headquarters would be complete without a few state-of-the-art fitness centers, am I right?
The Mountain View, CA campus boasts several swimming pools (even equipped with lifeguards), intramural sports, gym equpiment and free fitness sports. Sweaty from the gym but have to go back to work? No worries, take a shower and get ready right there. The Googlers even get free towels.
The New York location doesn't have a state-of-the-art gym on campus. Sigh for them, right? Not. After surveying the employees when they were designing the office, the Googlers decided they would rather work out at health clubs off-site, instead of with colleagues. But don't worry, Google picks up the tab for them.
Doing Good
Pretty much every Googler in the history of Google loves to talk about the companys ethics. Working for a massive company makes it easy for them to get away with doing little to no charitable work, but Google isn't like that. Between Google.Org and their philanthropic partnerships with many organizations, they are always doing something for someone else.
A great example of this is their laptop program. If a Googler purchases a laptop for themselves, Google will match it and purchase one for an organization who donates them to places who need them.
Those are the great perks we found for working at Google. Googlers are very lucky when it comes to their corporate culture, it's not that often today that you find a multi-billion dollar company treating each and every employee with such care.
If you know of any perks we missed, leave us a comment below and we will add it in!