| Google is the place to work according to Fortune | | | | created chaos and terror in the New York branch. |
| magazine, which listed the top 50 companies to work | | | | Bingham McCutchen only made it to 41 on the list, but |
| for. Google appears as a top contender for most | | | | is the number one firm when it comes to high pay |
| features, including unusual perks, cafeterias, health | | | | packages. The law firm is known for hiring promising |
| cover and work environment. Most of the other | | | | law school graduates at a whopping $160, 000 a year. |
| companies that made the top 50 only excel in one or | | | | Their legal secretaries, whose importance is often |
| two areas. This is the second year in a row that | | | | overlooked by other firms, earn an average of |
| Google has managed to capture the number one | | | | $69,000 a year. This is higher than what some |
| position on Fortune's company assessment. | | | | managers of other companies' earn. The average |
| Standard perks that Google offers include 100% health | | | | salary for staff at Bingham McCutchen is a staggering |
| care coverage and onsite childcare facilities. In addition, | | | | $211, 017 per year. |
| new moms are entitled to 18 weeks of paid maternity | | | | The eBay San Jose campuses have special |
| leave while dads get 7 weeks. Some perks that aren't | | | | de-stressing areas for employees in need of some |
| quite standard include 17 cafeterias that offer free | | | | serenity and relaxation. Rooms with comfortable |
| food to all employees. | | | | pillows and tatami floor mats are ideal for midday |
| The rule at Google is that no staff member should | | | | prayer and meditation, so that staff can return to their |
| ever be further away than 100 feet from a source of | | | | tasks refreshed and revitalised. |
| food. That doesn't mean that they only have access | | | | Camden Property Trust gives a 20% discount to |
| to vending machines with junk food, or that the | | | | employees who live in the company's apartment |
| cafeterias give out quick, easy and grease-laden | | | | complexes. Staff members going on holiday are also |
| meals. Chefs of the highest calibre prepare range of | | | | able to use fully furnished apartments for only $20 a |
| meals, with unique variations on everyday meals. | | | | night. |
| Macaroni and cheese, for instance, comes with wild | | | | Nike is one of the most socially conscious businesses |
| mushrooms and truffles. | | | | to work for, as those employed in the Portland office |
| They also have a keen interest in environmental | | | | volunteer as Portland Mountain Rescuers. They |
| conservation and have a department dedicated to | | | | respond to emergencies at a moment's notice, no |
| researching "green" technologies. Google makes every | | | | matter what they are doing or how important it is. |
| effort to be as energy efficient as possible, which is a | | | | When prospective employees are interviewed and |
| mind-set that is encouraged in their employees. In the | | | | warned about the possibility of having their work |
| spirit of energy conservation, they subsidise staff | | | | interrupted by mountain searches, the standard |
| members who buy hybrid or electric cars to the tune | | | | response is, "what's more important, saving lives or |
| of $1000. Employees based in California are entitled to | | | | selling shoes?" |
| special discounts if they install solar panels in their | | | | The one thing that all of the businesses on the top 50 |
| homes. | | | | list have in common is that they all realise that a |
| Google is also fairly unique in that they have a policy | | | | company is only as good as its employees, and so go |
| that allows ardent animal lovers to bring their cherished | | | | out of their way to ensure staff happiness and |
| pets to work. The obvious proviso is that the various | | | | contentment. Staff turnover is low, while job |
| dogs, cats, and assorted others must be reasonably | | | | satisfaction is high. Who wouldn't want to work for a |
| well behaved and house trained. It's been reported in | | | | company that rents an entire movie theatre for a day |
| The Inquirer, UK, that the pet's policy is under revision, | | | | so that their staff can see a blockbuster movie on its |
| after a pet python that was not very well behaved | | | | release date? |