Reading this sub, as someone who is treated well by my employer, is very depressing. I realize jobs at the companies I am highlighting are not attainable for many, but I still think this information might be of interest. The way people are treated by their company is a spectrum. This may be the high end of the spectrum.
The good
- Very highly rated 'Best Places to Work' scores
- Very generous compensation (130k -> 600k range for SWE, other roles like HR all pay top of market and get the same benefits)
- Top tier retirement account options
- Top tier health insurance, mental health, fertility
- Onsite medical and dental
- Freedom to work remotely
- Generous PTO programs, which you are encouraged to take
- Unlimited sick days, which you are encouraged to take
- Great long term leave programs, and sabbaticals
- Regular merit based promotions and yearly raises and cost of living increases
- Programs that ensure compensation is 'fair'
- On site food, often times free food
- Free coffee, snacks
- Commute programs like shuttles, free parking, EV charging
- Free child care or child care assistance
- Often free laptops, phones, and home internet
- Higher transparency with employees around compensation, and decisions the companies are making
- Generally positive/empathetic work places
- Managers are higher quality and do not exhibit the toxic behaviors we see in this sub
- Layoffs are very rare
Why do they offer these benefits? Mainly to be competitive with their peer companies and to increase employee retention. Some benefits, like free lunch, reduce employee time away from the office, which increase productivity. But also the people who work on these teams do genuinely care about their coworkers and want to have a positive impact on their lives.
The bad
- Rather high stress levels
- High rates of burn out
- Pressure to work longer days, though many work 40 hours or less and are successful
- Most companies are located in VHCOL and HCOL places, which means buying a house is not feasible for many
- Due to the competitive nature of competition between these companies, many employees feel underpaid
- Contractors at these companies usually have very reduced benefits
- Social pressure from friends and family not to work at these companies