what are the biggest perks of your job

aute19

Member
Sep 30, 2011
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After finishing my Ph.D. at ISU this year, I started a job a professor. I probably work, on average, 60 hours week.

BUT! I can come and go as I please. For example, I was done teaching at 11 AM last Friday and just took off for a long weekend trip, no questions asked. No 9-5, no clearing it with the boss.

It's a lot of work, but the completely open schedule is huge. Aside from that, I get to talk about things that I think are super interesting and get to help students plan their academic futures and beyond. It's quite rewarding.
 

Bobber

Well-Known Member
Apr 12, 2006
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Hudson, Iowa
1. Office out of my home. Flexible schedule. Can get away for kid events pretty easy.
2. Nice company vehicle that use for personnel use.
3. Only talk with my boss a couple times a month. I've been doing this job a long time and am good at what I do, so that helps.
4. ESOP stock ownership in company. Big time tax advantages and sense of control of company destiny.
5. Great benefit package. Great base pay and ability to make more pay depending on performance.

One con. iWork 60 hour weeks pretty regular.
 

Stumbles

Well-Known Member
Feb 17, 2012
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Cleveland Heights, OH
Donuts
An outside chance of a mutation resulting in superhero powers
A pro football stadium with my company's name on it with the privilege to pay full price for tickets
A well funded pension, for now
Monthly bonuses, annual bonuses when licensed that are pretty substantial
Paid OT
 

wxman1

Well-Known Member
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Jul 2, 2008
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you all must have the best jobs ever or lying. ...or normal folks with crappy jobs just don't post.

A combo of best jobs ever and us regular folk are not posting.

I would imagine the companies with more perks probably pay less on average when compared with similar companies with less perks.

Any of you care to comment on that?

Would you rather have more money or more perks?
 

ISUFan22

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
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Denver, CO
you all must have the best jobs ever or lying. ...or normal folks with crappy jobs just don't post.
Good point - have found the folks that go over-the-top about their jobs are the ones that are the least happy and compensating. The great thing about this country is every person has an opportunity to change that - whether it be a new opportunity or a completely different career path.
 

ISUFan22

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
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Denver, CO
Anyway - my items. Not perfect but item #1 is a great perk at the moment. I can do anything for a year to set us up for success later.


- Bill rate
- Travel is a pain, also a perk (visit new places, tons of airline, hotel, car and credit card rewards)
- Responsibility/independence
- Ability to facilitate tangible impact
- People in healthcare are extremely passionate and enjoyable individuals to team up with
 

DeereClone

Well-Known Member
Nov 16, 2009
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Are they though? While good perks, a lot talk about 401ks or vacation time or responsibility or independence. I don't see those as far fetched for a lot of careers.

Independence/working for yourself/setting your own schedule is a double-edged sword. Yes, there are times where a salesman/business owner can take Friday afternoon's off to golf, but there are also times where they may get called on Christmas Eve at 8:00 to fix something, fill an order, or cover a mistake that was made and is an urgent situation.
 

cyrocksmypants

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2008
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Washington DC
Independence/working for yourself/setting your own schedule is a double-edged sword. Yes, there are times where a salesman/business owner can take Friday afternoon's off to golf, but there are also times where they may get called on Christmas Eve at 8:00 to fix something, fill an order, or cover a mistake that was made and is an urgent situation.

It also depends on your definition. After 8 years of working for a micro-manager, I very much feel independence is a perk at my new job. I still have to report to someone, have deadlines, etc., but don't have someone calling to check up on me 8 times a day, so I feel I have independence now.
 

isufbcurt

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Apr 21, 2006
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Newton
Good point - have found the folks that go over-the-top about their jobs are the ones that are the least happy and compensating. The great thing about this country is every person has an opportunity to change that - whether it be a new opportunity or a completely different career path.

Not here. I am very happy. Hell everything I wrote it 100% true. Just got done with lunch today it was Thai day, I had Red Sauce Curry and rice and of course my 1/4 rack of ribs as a side.
 

BikeSkiClone

Well-Known Member
Jul 25, 2014
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I don't make a lot of money and it varies check-to-check based on how many days I get scheduled, but I'm pretty happy with what I do. I also work for a non-profit. Non-profit is a tax category, not an ideal business (or personal) model.
 

cyhiphopp

Moderator
Staff member
Jan 9, 2009
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Ankeny
My job is full of stupid politics and they constantly tick me off by passing me over for promotions.
My role is also constantly screwed over by being forced to work a ton of extra hours in the fall with no extra pay.

But...

I can work from home regularly on my laptop, which is super convenient if I have an appointment or want to sleep in a little more.
My hours are also very flexible so I can start earlier and get off at 4 in the summer and umpire on weekdays.

I've considered applying at other places, but I will miss the flexibility. I get paid decently here outside of the extra hours as well.
 

cyrocksmypants

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2008
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Washington DC
I don't make a lot of money and it varies check-to-check based on how many days I get scheduled, but I'm pretty happy with what I do. I also work for a non-profit. Non-profit is a tax category, not an ideal business (or personal) model.

I would love to work for a non-profit. I actually got through a couple of stages of interviews with Greenpeace here for a management position, but apparently they didn't care for the fact that almost all of my adult experience was with the blood-sucking vultures of the evil company I worked for.
 

coolerifyoudid

Well-Known Member
Feb 8, 2013
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KC
you all must have the best jobs ever or lying. ...or normal folks with crappy jobs just don't post.

If I had answered this question 15 years ago, my reply would have been different. I think age plays a lot into people's perception of their job. Priorities change. The ability to have hours that coincide with my wife so we can carpool and make it to our daughter's events is worth more than an extra grand or two to me.

Some people fall into great jobs right away (you know who you are and you suck). The rest of us have taken our lumps, changed jobs to something better, chosen to make the best of a situation, or some combination of all three.

Time is a good teacher when it comes to careers.
 

JY07

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2009
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DSM
Employer paid health/dental insurance, salaried with an extra 25% of salary paid to my retirement account

(self employed)
 

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