Companies may be trimming expenses to make up for sagging revenue but perks that promote work/life balance are here to stay.
Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports that some of the perks that were created to combat severe labor shortages are beginning to disappear in the downturn. But businesses are likely to keep productivity-boosting perks such as telecommuting and concierge services.
For example, telecommuters tend to put in longer hours than those who have to drive into the office. What's more, workers who can take advantage of concierge services face fewer on-the-job distractions from dealing with family and personal situations.
The perks firms may eventually phase out are those that have less of an impact on employees' daily activities. Here are some of the extras I've heard of some companies cutting:
* Forego free food. Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports that Xerox has stopped catering meetings, and that Goldman Sachs has eliminated the boxes of apples, grapes and oranges that used to be available throughout the day.
* The party's over. Liquor-laden holiday parties and company picnics are likely to be downscaled or cancelled altogether.
* Stay home. Most companies are clamping down on the business travel budget. And even if the trip is deemed important enough to take, most folks will be sitting in coach.
* Water your own plants. When the budget got tight, my former employer discontinued its office plant watering service. Plants in common areas were thrown out unless employees agreed to adopt and care for them.
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Amy Schurr is an editor for Network World's Management Strategies and Features sections. If you have any career topics you'd like her to cover or want to comment on this newsletter, you can reach her at aschurr@nww.com.
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