9 Chicago Companies With Great Perks
You mean you don't get your birthday off every year?
We’ve all heard about those mythic Silicon Valley tech firms where employees eat free Twizzlers all day long and hold ping-pong tournaments at cocktail hour. Well, Chicago’s corporate culture is starting to catch on. Read about the perks that could be yours if you worked at these nine local offices.
Treadmill at GiftBar
Feeling sluggish during the workday? Employees of the North Center-based shopping platform have an in-office treadmill that they can hop on to burn a few calories while boosting their energy and brainpower. There are also weights and yoga mats, in-office manicures once a month, unlimited Reese's Cups and quarterly outings to Olive Garden.
Slide at Red Frog
Is this a River North event production company or is this an adult playground? Imagine an office space with two tree houses, a rock-climbing wall, a slide, a conference table made of LEGOs and a gutted 1970s camper that you can cozy up in for meetings. Oh, and don’t forget swings.
Bikes at GoHealth
Employees at this River North company--which uses technology to make it easier to buy and sell health insurance--have access to a fleet of bikes outside their office that they can ride to lunch or the nearby East Bank Club, where they get discounted corporate memberships. They also have unlimited vacation and can take as many paid days off as they want--they just have to coordinate scheduling. (Last year, several employees jetted off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro together.)
Music at the Lyric Opera
Behind-the-scenes employees who toil in the offices of Chicago’s venerable opera company have a sound system that they can crank up anytime they want to hear live rehearsals and matinee performances. They also get access to dress rehearsals and are allowed to bring guests.
Birthdays off at AbelsonTaylor
Health and wellness advertising agency AbelsonTaylor helps its employees have really happy birthdays by giving them the day off. The firm also keeps healthy snacks on hand, hosts free lunches on Fridays and encourages workers to prioritize social responsibility by participating in its many charitable initiatives.
Putting Green at kCura
The Loop software company specializes in the serious business of data management but brings fun into the mix with Halloween “Pimp Your Pod” competitions, employee bake-offs and brew-offs, video games and a new putting green.
Free lunch at Doejo
The app developers at this Lakeview digital agency get catered free lunches on Wednesdays, free memberships to Chicago Athletic Clubs and plenty of coffee and beer to stay creative.
Unlimited Candy at Catalyst Ranch
If you have a sweet tooth, apply for a job at this groovy West Loop meeting venue and office design firm where a huge stash of nostalgic candy--think old-fashioned gumballs and Smarties--is always at the ready. Employees are also encouraged to keep toys on their desks for creativity-spurring brain breaks.
Xboxes at Google
Workers at the search engine’s massive new Fulton Market offices have mastered sausage-making as a team-building exercise (appropriate to the building’s meatpacking past), and they have a game room with Xboxes, Wiis, foosball and a Ping-Pong-playing robot.