Sometimes the word “corporation” is spoken with a hushed voice or negative tone. Often corporations are highlighted in the news for mistakes they’ve made, rather than the good they do. It makes sense: the fact that many corporations provide good wages and benefits to their employees won’t grab headlines. But did you know corporations around the world offer employees amazing benefits beyond the typical hand full of paid holidays and company health insurance? Here’s a look at why you should work for a big company rather than a small one:
How About Those Health Perks
Sure, health insurance is a huge benefit, but in this day and age, it’s pretty standard. Even small businesses provide health insurance for full-time employees. However, there’s a lot more to health than insurance. For instance, some companies provide employees with wellness programs. Microsoft provides free Zumba classes on some of its campuses and also reimburses employees up to $800 a year for gym memberships, meditation programs, weight-loss programs and other health-related activities. It also stocks campus cafes with healthy foods and snacks, which are color-coded for dietary needs and/or restrictions.
Opportunity to Grow
Sure, that little coffee shop down the street would likely be fun to work in, but what doors does it open in terms of career opportunities? Many corporations hire from the ground up. Costco, the retail-wholesale chain, starts most employees in the same place: the warehouse. You won’t see someone from the outside hired for a supervisor or management position you were tipped for. All hiring comes from within. While it may be a drag at the start, rest assured, even the district manager was once in the same place.
Pick Profit Share
While typically a concept associated with smaller businesses, profit share models do have a place in corporations. Amway, for instance, is built ground up as a profit share. What does that mean? The more money the company makes, the more you, as an employee, share in the profits. It’s an essential part of employee ownership of their position. Profit share models vary but are commonly based on a percentage of an employee’s quarterly earnings.
Adventure is Out There
There’s no corporation that takes adventuring more seriously than the outdoor retailer, REI. REI’s motto is: A life outdoors is a life well lived. It’s no surprise then that REI took a look at the culture that has become Black Friday in the retail industry and flipped it on its head. For the last several years REI has closed its doors on Black Friday, given all employees a paid day off, and captioned it: #OptOutside. Employees are encouraged to take the day and go adventure outdoors without a financial impact. After all, they are paid for the full day. REI also features what they’ve deemed, “Yay Days,” once every six months. A Yay Day is a paid day off of the employees choice. The only requirement is that the employee does something outdoors like a hike or bike or kayak session, and then shares it with the company.
Prospects Abound
Corporations create opportunities for their employees. While the structure and hierarchy may not work for everyone, it’s a career avenue that shouldn’t be overlooked. While corporations are often viewed in a negative light, many go above and beyond for their employees with the likes of wellness plans, paid days off, profit share incentives, and upward mobility for advancement in the business.
