IamBMETammy's Journal: Strange work benefits

When I worked my benefits were pretty standard; although, due to the nature of the work we did get free allergy and asthma care and treatment for employees and family. Also, we got yearly flu shots even if we didn't have much patient contact.

But the husband's company is different. There's the standard package including pension, but then there's also different things. They pay for Triple A each year, and apparently they pay up to $40 a month for gym membership. It's neat. I've never heard of a company in this area doing nice little extra things like that. I really like them.

The bottom line ...

[tomhudson]

... is that it's good for the bottom line.

Companies are learning that if you take better care of your people, they're not as sick, as often, so you don't have as many disruptions with people covering for each other, lost opportunities, etc. $0.25/hr (tax-deductible from the company's point of view) is a net profit for them, in saving these costs.

Plus it looks good as a perk.

I'm lobbying for the company to go halfies on any tech books we buy for our personal libraries, along the same rationale ...

Not to mention

[Iamthefallen]

They also pay for half of the DSL bill.

My health insurance does that.

[Some Woman]

Blue Cross/Blue Shield will pay for up to $20/month for your gym membership if you go at least 12 times/month. At participating health clubs. I do not belong to a participating health club. :^( (Of course, I only pay $17/month, so it's not that bad. A "participating health club" would cost me about $45/month.)

Re:

[IamBMETammy]

It's interesting that they have a minimum number of visits, I guess they want to make sure that you're actually using it.

I'm also pretty impressed that your gym fees are only $17/month.

Re:

[Some Woman]

I think a lot of gyms have a high initial price and then drop down after the period during which most people quit. At Bally, the price drops from about $40 to $17 after 12-18 months. It maximizes their profits while keeping retention high among those who aren't going to give up excerising after 8 weeks.

pension?

[artifex2004]

Wow, who does that any more for new employees? I got a 401(K), which I've emptied, now :(