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Let's face it. As startups, we can't really offer top-dollar salaries to our employees. But we can offer some fun benefits that the big companies can't/won't. Here are a few that we have that seem to be pretty popular:

Super flexiblity - there's no "can I use four hours of my Personal Time Off to go renew my licence" crap - just do what you gotta do, and make sure you get what you need to get done
Random Range Time - when the time seems right, we grab the clubs and head to the driving range; or, on other days, grab the guns and head to the firing range
The Scotch Library - over 50 single malts, perfect for the 6 o'clock Scotch
The Snack Budget - it's not much, but a few hundred bucks can buy a whoooole lot of soda and munchies

I was also thinking of buying one of those Arcade Legends machines and possibly a pool table. Not that we want to make it too fun, though...

So, what would you do? What fun benefits/perks do you have/give/love?

asked Oct 15 at 2:50

Alex Papadimoulis

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+1 for "Super flexibility". I still do not understand why most companies think the work has to be done between 8AM - 5PM and M-F. To me, as long as it gets done on time is fine. – Ricardo Oct 16 at 2:56

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Jarie Bolander · Answer 1 · 2009-11-21 20:41:44Z UTC

The one thing I would add is silly awards and traditions. These create an esprit de corps that transcends physical perks. We have a couple:

Pay the Pig: Anytime someone does something "dickish" or complains a lot, they have to pay the piggy bank a small fine. Once the bank is full, the whole group does something fun.
The Geeky Tiki: If someone does a stellar job, they get the Geeky Tiki award. It's a medal and a Tee Shirt. This is kind of a random thing that the boss (me) gets to award.

ammoQ · Answer 2 · 2009-11-26 11:25:28Z UTC

Startups implicitely work on new projects, using new tools; for many people, this is a huge benefit, compared to "maintain an decade-old VB5 application". Just make sure your people know and appreciate the difference.

Having great people in your team motivates other great people to do the same, because it's more fun than working with morons.

The absence of micromanagement - get your job done, but don't have to report for every single minute what exactly was accomplished then - also attracts the right kind of people.

Foosball tables, dartboards etc. are cheap, but of course people must be allowed to use them whenever they feel like it. The worst thing you could do is have such stuff, but only allow using it from 12:00-12:30.

chrisbennet · Answer 3 · 2009-11-30 13:39:58Z UTC

One nice "perk" that costs nothing would be a policy of true honesty from management.

For example, instead of telling developers that you are cramming developers into shared spaces "to foster collaboration". tell the the truth i.e. "We can't afford to give everyone the office they deserve and we realize we will take a productivety hit because of it."

Jeff Oresik · Answer 4 · 2010-01-22 12:19:33Z UTC

Set some limits (maybe $$?), but let them tell you what they want. I don't find things being the same for everyone as equal, fair, etc. Maybe on a regular basis, everyone can pick from a list, a "Get out of Jail Free" card. Instead of getting to leave early on Friday, I may choose to have one extra vacation day. We often jump the gun and think people will take advantage of this and work the system, but that is because so many companies are not taking your approach by wanting to do something good for the employees. Don't offer me a cupcake and then stick your finger in the icing before handing it to me.

What fun and low-cost fringe benefits/perks would you offer to employees?

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