17 incredible perks companies like Google, Facebook, and Airbnb offer their employees
According to career site Glassdoor, more than half - 57% - of all workers say that perks and benefits are among the top things they consider when deciding whether to accept a job, and almost 80% of employees say that they would prefer new benefits, like health insurance or paid time off, over a pay raise.
That's why some employers are raising the bar and going beyond free food, on-site gyms, and 401(k)s to attract new talent. Companies like Airbnb and Facebook are offering unique and surprising perks like travel stipends and "Baby Cash," according to Glassdoor's list of the top employee benefits and perks.
"Benefits and perks matter because they're an added piece of the total compensation puzzle," says Scott Dobroski, Glassdoor's career-trends analyst. "Job seekers should understand what benefits and perks an employer may be offering, and do their research ahead of time to find companies that offer benefits that matter most to them."
Glassdoor's list is based on the hundreds of thousands of benefits reviews shared on Glassdoor by employees.
Through research and surveys, Glassdoor has found that benefits and perks affect recruiting efforts "in that they certainly help get prospective talent interested in a company and through the door," Dobroski says. "However, once people are hired, our research shows culture and values, career opportunities and senior leadership, not perks, are the leading factors that impact employee satisfaction, which directly affects a company's talent retention rates."
Here are some of the most incredible perks companies are offering right now: