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The idea wasn’t just to keep workers on campus as long as possible: “Creativity and innovation often emerge in supportive environmentsplaces where people can interact joyfully even during their downtime – underlines Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, professor of business psychology at University College London -. Many of the raw ingredients that make up the fabric of creative ideas and successful collaborations emerge not in formal meetings, but in informal encounters, such as those that take place in the cafeteria or on a volleyball court“.
Since then, corporate benefits have become an integral part of the offer of technology companies. “If your office resembles a five-star all-inclusive resort, employees are more likely to be proud to work there, absorb the culture, feel a sense of belonging, and spend more time in the office – continues Chamorro-Premuzic -. Integrate aspects of the external environment into the workplace reinforces the idea that work is an integral part of your lifefree time and moments of leisure included“.
Trend reversal
However, the pandemic and the diffusion of models of remote work and hybrid they started to limit the impact of benefits. An analysis of 70,000 Glassdoor posts by tech workers in the UK shows that in 2019, 8.3 per cent of company reviews mentioned company benefits, such as a gym or free food; by December 2022 the percentage had dropped to just 4 percent.
“Since employees have to show up at the office at least occasionally, companies have an incentive to make their experience a positive one – explains Glassdoor economist Lauren Thomas -. However, the data suggests that the decline in benefits it is more closely related to the time employees spend in the office“.
In recent months, big techs have eliminated tens of thousands of jobs, blaming the negative economic outlook and excessive hiring during the pandemic. In this context, it is inevitable that benefits will also be cut.
“Our daily meeting is no longer offered breakfast and apparently they will no longer give us food at social events – says a person who works in the technology sector in London -. There are budget cuts and the events are cancelled“.
Stop the superfluous
While it may make sense to reduce benefits at a time when many workers are being laid off and demand for services is lower than pre-pandemic levels, that doesn’t mean that eliminating free coffee or fitness classes doesn’t have a impact on remaining employees. “Even as economic conditions worsen, companies risk losing the war for talent if they suddenly show an inflexible side that suggests they weren’t actually the cultural haven they appeared to be.“explains Chamorro-Premuzic.
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