Looking for jobs in Chicago is tough — not because the gigs are drying up, but because there are a ton of tech companies hiring to choose from. Job seekers have a lot to consider, from location and compensation to experience and responsibilities.
One thing that may help make up an applicant's mind is the perks and benefits package. To be sure, things like 401(k), health insurance and PTO are pretty critical, but who doesn’t love when a company goes above and beyond to keep their employees happy? These companies certainly have.
Rocketmiles knows how to do perks and benefits. And they should — their whole business is built around the idea of helping people use their PTO and vacation faster. With Rocketmiles, travelers can book hotels and earn airline miles or points, making flights more affordable. But it's not just users who are taking advantage of the platform: for every year anniversary at the company, employees get $1,000 in Rocket Travel Cash to use on the platform. We're sold.
Insights via Josh Lewis.
What outside the box perks do you offer?
Music can tell you so much about a person. In our office, we have what we call the Rocket Lounge that's got a record player along with a classic Sherwood receiver. Every employee, when they begin, is asked to submit an album to the lounge so that when they need a break from their desk, want something other than Spotify, or want to get to know their coworkers better, they can use the record player.
After a year of service at Rocket, each employee received $1,000 in Rocket Travel Credit. They can use the $1,000 to book a trip using our website and get reimbursed up to $1,000 for the booking. It doesn't carry over year to year, but they receive a 'fresh' $1,000 each year on their anniversary, and can use it however they want — in small increments, or all at once. Once they use it, they are asked to give a short talk about their trip during our monthly all-hands meeting so the team can see where the credit was used.
How do those perks shape company culture?
We think our perks contribute to our culture in many ways, primarily because we are huge fans of traveling and learning about each other, and each of our own personal cultures. The Lounge gives our team the opportunity to express themselves through music, which we think is a fantastic medium to show one's true passion. We've got everything from Johnny Cash to Prince, from Led Zeppelin to the soundtrack to Les Misérables. The Rocket Credit allows our team to experience things they might not have experienced before by using our product, and sharing that experience with us once they're back. Our folks have used the credit to go to Hawaii, the Mediterranean, and southeast Asia.
CraftJack is dedicated to helping home improvement professionals and homeowners connect. How? They develop products to help pros navigate an increasingly complex digital marketplace, and boast serious customer service chops to boot. And they've already connected hundreds of thousands of homeowners to improvement professionals.
Insights via Mark Schaffer.
What outside the box perks do you offer?
Quality benefits, unlimited sick/vacation days and a game room that’ll make your head spin are a just a few ways CraftJack rewards their employees for hard work and dedication. Ping pong tournaments, team lunches, holiday parties and playing Family Feud at quarterly meetings are only the tipping point of fun activities CraftJack plans throughout the year to help their employees unwind. Did we mention the sound system, bottomless coffee, tea, snacks and monthly office beer membership from the local brewery? There’s also a discounted Divvy bike membership for those who’d like to commute to and from work and bike off that beer.
How do those perks shape company culture?
CraftJack is one of those environments you walk into and feel right at home. You’re always greeted with a warm welcome and smile from leadership and staff. The company perks allow our team to work in an environment that puts considerable value and mindfulness into the well-being of one's mind and body.
Our core values set us apart and help shape the company culture. At CraftJack you’ll find us anywhere but inside the box. Our perks foster an environment of innovation, creativity and risk-taking. Got a crazy idea? Share it, or even test it out! Whatever you do, don’t sit on it.
We don’t hoard information, we share it. We’re encouraged to celebrate our successes and communicate our strategies and progress across the entire team. CraftJack employees work efficiently to preserve a strong work-life balance. The team works hard, minimizes bureaucracy and finds time to recharge their batteries. No politics, because we can disagree without being disagreeable. Our perks guide us to a company culture where establishing trust, honesty and respect transpires naturally.
Havas Chicago is a leading digital agency that's reinventing what it means to do work in the digital age. About 600 people work our of its Chicago office — dubbed the Chicago Village — with more than 20,000 creatives fueling its brand worldwide.
Insights from Mariana Parke.
What outside the box perks do you offer?
Havas Chicago offers a catalog of perks that rival only the trendiest of trendsetters in the tech industry. Some of those out-of-the box perks include Funk’s Barbershop, which is open on and allows employees to conveniently schedule haircuts during office hours; Better U, a continuing education and development program that presents employees with $500 a year in order to take any classes that interest them, professionally or personally; and a dog-friendly work environment that invites workers to bring their pups to work every day.
And that’s all in addition to a package of more traditional perks — at least, traditional in Havas’ view. From Bagel Friday’s on the first Friday of the month and free snacks daily to company holidays, parties, and a benefit bundle that includes pet insurance, Havas Chicago offers a pretty sweet deal.
How do those perks shape company culture?
The culture at Havas is incredibly entrepreneurial, collaborative and fast-paced. Our perks allow for employees to keep up with their innovative lifestyles while also allowing for conveniences at their fingertips. This includes the above perks, but also ping pong tables, air hockey, massages, manicube and side hustle (our employees are allowed to have their own side businesses).
Images via featured companies.
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