Nap Rooms, Yoga Classes, Unlimited Vaycay? Sign Up Here!
February 21, 2014
Zipcar simply wouldn’t be the same without Millennials. Not only are half of our members Gen Y’ers, but many of our employees are too. And we’re not alone: now that Millennials have entered the working world, they’re having a big impact on the way that businesses work. In order to meet their changing expectations, companies are offering tons of exciting perks, including everything from unlimited vacation days and in-office chefs, to quirky bonuses like yoga classes for instant relaxation, and office bars for, well, even more relaxation. These seven cool companies have nailed what Millennials are looking for in their prospective employers. (We thought it would be gauche to put ourselves on the list.)
BUZZFEED: At what other company could you meet Kanye West and Lil Bub – in the same week? Buzzfeed’s army of pop culture-savvy Millennials get up close and personal with famous stars of all stripes, from rappers to felines. And the perks don’t stop there. The youthful atmosphere and laidback management make for a buzzing and inspirational vibe, particularly given that staff writers have total creative freedom. Weekly bagel breakfasts, beer outings, and complimentary lunches help. And really, what Millennial wouldn’t want to meet Grumpy Cat?
Photo by Macey J. Foronda
Photo by Macey J. Foronda
HUBSPOT: Across numerous industries, working long hours has become the norm. At many companies that means fighting drowsiness at your desk. At HubSpot, an inbound marketing software platform, a cushy nap room is provided for just this purpose. When employees aren’t catching up on Zs, they might be jet setting. HubSpot famously offers a flexible vacation policy, which means workers have no limitation on their days off. Other sweet treats like a 24/7 snack wall (with movie theatre-style candy dispensers), and free office beers, are hard to beat. Says CMO Mike Volpe, “We want the best and brightest Millennials to work with us, so we’ve created an environment that fits the way they live and work.”
Photo courtesy of HubSpot
Photo courtesy of HubSpot
SPAREFOOT: Included in Turnstone’s Best Young Companies to Work For, Austin’s SpareFoot, which was itself founded by Millennials, offers ingenious solutions for those hunting out storage space. And for the employees, the ingenuity continues. Says CEO Chuck Gordon, “SpareFoot has one of the best company cultures in Austin—if not the best.” Over a free, chef-prepared lunch, employees can take part in ‘Eatucation’ classes to help perk up their professional savvy. The in-house bar, where the clock is always set to 5 PM, is also a guaranteed bonus, as are unlimited snacks, sake bomb initiation dinners, and a personal box of cake balls on your birthday. And did we mention that vacation days are unlimited? Sounds like Millennial catnip.
Photo courtesy of SpareFoot
Photo courtesy of SpareFoot
ZAGAT (AT GOOGLE): No list of Millennial-approved employers would be complete without Google, and Zagat, the restaurant review guide acquired by Google in 2011, offers particular upsides for young gourmets. Now based in the tech giant’s New York office, Zagat HQ gives staffers access to all of Google’s now-famous perks, including sleep pods, dining facilities, workout rooms, and even gaming centers. And what foodie wouldn’t want to spend their day overseeing restaurant reviews and stories?
Photo courtesy of Google
Photo courtesy of Google
AIRBNB: Airbnb, a company that’s revolutionized the hospitality industry by transforming users’ properties into hotel rooms that are actually affordable, has attracted the attention of many Millennials. Airbnb comments, “We are looking for people that think big and share our passion for the sharing economy and are excited by the prospect of bringing people together from 192 countries across the world and creating amazing travel experiences.” The company truly gets in the spirit of what it sells. As proof, conference rooms in its swanky new San Francisco offices each have a different travel theme, from Bay Area bachelor pad to Parisian pied-à-terre. Airbnb benefits range from a $2,000 annual stipend for global travel, in-office yoga classes, and a pet-friendly policy.
Photo courtesy of Airbnb
Photo courtesy of Airbnb
YELP: Think of yourself as a dedicated foodie, cocktail hound or simply straight-up party person? At Yelp, it’s not just possible to combine those interests with working life—it’s encouraged. The user-review website has offices across the US, though its HQ is in San Francisco. Employees embrace the company’s youthful culture, and perks like office fridges packed with free tasty sandwich fixings help to make the job feel far from grunt work. And did we mention the KegMate? Developed by Yelp’s engineers, the iPad-controlled beer tap is the perfect way to greet 5 o’clock. (Hmmm. There’s something of a theme developing here…)
Photo by Eric Chan
Photo by Eric Chan
DROPBOX: Dropbox, has famously high employee satisfaction, and with good reason. After moving into a sparkling new office in San Francisco, the company has even more space for its onsite gym, music studios (for midday jamming emergencies, natch), and other bonuses. Employees can opt to take a free shuttle into work, and the complimentary offerings extend to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll want to stick around at the end of the week, when the office celebrates “Whiskey Fridays.” And perhaps most covetable of all: unlimited Dropbox storage space (!).
BUZZFEED: At what other company could you meet Kanye West and Lil Bub – in the same week? Buzzfeed’s army of pop culture-savvy Millennials get up close and personal with famous stars of all stripes, from rappers to felines. And the perks don’t stop there. The youthful atmosphere and laidback management make for a buzzing and inspirational vibe, particularly given that staff writers have total creative freedom. Weekly bagel breakfasts, beer outings, and complimentary lunches help. And really, what Millennial wouldn’t want to meet Grumpy Cat?
Photo by Macey J. Foronda
Photo by Macey J. Foronda
HUBSPOT: Across numerous industries, working long hours has become the norm. At many companies that means fighting drowsiness at your desk. At HubSpot, an inbound marketing software platform, a cushy nap room is provided for just this purpose. When employees aren’t catching up on Zs, they might be jet setting. HubSpot famously offers a flexible vacation policy, which means workers have no limitation on their days off. Other sweet treats like a 24/7 snack wall (with movie theatre-style candy dispensers), and free office beers, are hard to beat. Says CMO Mike Volpe, “We want the best and brightest Millennials to work with us, so we’ve created an environment that fits the way they live and work.”
Photo courtesy of HubSpot
Photo courtesy of HubSpot
SPAREFOOT: Included in Turnstone’s Best Young Companies to Work For, Austin’s SpareFoot, which was itself founded by Millennials, offers ingenious solutions for those hunting out storage space. And for the employees, the ingenuity continues. Says CEO Chuck Gordon, “SpareFoot has one of the best company cultures in Austin—if not the best.” Over a free, chef-prepared lunch, employees can take part in ‘Eatucation’ classes to help perk up their professional savvy. The in-house bar, where the clock is always set to 5 PM, is also a guaranteed bonus, as are unlimited snacks, sake bomb initiation dinners, and a personal box of cake balls on your birthday. And did we mention that vacation days are unlimited? Sounds like Millennial catnip.
Photo courtesy of SpareFoot
Photo courtesy of SpareFoot
ZAGAT (AT GOOGLE): No list of Millennial-approved employers would be complete without Google, and Zagat, the restaurant review guide acquired by Google in 2011, offers particular upsides for young gourmets. Now based in the tech giant’s New York office, Zagat HQ gives staffers access to all of Google’s now-famous perks, including sleep pods, dining facilities, workout rooms, and even gaming centers. And what foodie wouldn’t want to spend their day overseeing restaurant reviews and stories?
Photo courtesy of Google
Photo courtesy of Google
AIRBNB: Airbnb, a company that’s revolutionized the hospitality industry by transforming users’ properties into hotel rooms that are actually affordable, has attracted the attention of many Millennials. Airbnb comments, “We are looking for people that think big and share our passion for the sharing economy and are excited by the prospect of bringing people together from 192 countries across the world and creating amazing travel experiences.” The company truly gets in the spirit of what it sells. As proof, conference rooms in its swanky new San Francisco offices each have a different travel theme, from Bay Area bachelor pad to Parisian pied-à-terre. Airbnb benefits range from a $2,000 annual stipend for global travel, in-office yoga classes, and a pet-friendly policy.
Photo courtesy of Airbnb
Photo courtesy of Airbnb
YELP: Think of yourself as a dedicated foodie, cocktail hound or simply straight-up party person? At Yelp, it’s not just possible to combine those interests with working life—it’s encouraged. The user-review website has offices across the US, though its HQ is in San Francisco. Employees embrace the company’s youthful culture, and perks like office fridges packed with free tasty sandwich fixings help to make the job feel far from grunt work. And did we mention the KegMate? Developed by Yelp’s engineers, the iPad-controlled beer tap is the perfect way to greet 5 o’clock. (Hmmm. There’s something of a theme developing here…)
Photo by Eric Chan
Photo by Eric Chan
DROPBOX: Dropbox, has famously high employee satisfaction, and with good reason. After moving into a sparkling new office in San Francisco, the company has even more space for its onsite gym, music studios (for midday jamming emergencies, natch), and other bonuses. Employees can opt to take a free shuttle into work, and the complimentary offerings extend to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You’ll want to stick around at the end of the week, when the office celebrates “Whiskey Fridays.” And perhaps most covetable of all: unlimited Dropbox storage space (!).
