Google Benefits and Perks for Employees - 11 ideas

If you are researching companies with competitive talent packages to guide your own offering, Google is likely on your radar. The Google benefits and perks it offers to employees rank among the greatest in the world. It’s part of the company’s strategy to pull out the stops and attract the best and brightest.‍

Google’s goal to create the happiest workplace in the world is evident in its rules, unique office sites, and the wide array of benefits it offers its employees (or Googlers). The tech giant believes in looking after its talents’ wellbeing and creating a positive work culture to improve job satisfaction and productivity. ‍

So, let’s dive into some of the top perks and benefits that Google employees love.

‍

Eleven Google Benefits and Perks that Employees Love

1. Healthcare Benefits

Google offers its employees medical insurance. Googlers have the option to customize comprehensive medical coverage for themselves, their spouses, and any dependents they have.‍

With Google health insurance, basic vision and dental care are already included. This means there's no need for employees to acquire additional coverage outside of what the company pays for. ‍

An annual $1,000 deductible covers hospitalization for any reason. Whether you’re a contractor, temp, full-time or part-time employee, you will have access to complete healthcare. ‍

The cherry on top is that Google has onsite medical staff for those working on campus. So when an employee falls ill, they can simply schedule an appointment.

2. Work/Life Balance

Google offers a variety of learning, social, and development programs to help employees achieve a good work-life balance. ‍

For example, employees can devote 20% of their time to pursue other interests or focus on projects that matter to them. ‍

Employees can also receive up to $12,000 in tuition support per year, and the Education Assistance program can help them pay for any educational pursuit, such as learning a language or coding. ‍

Google also welcomes world-renowned professionals for seminars, talks, and conferences on a regular basis. The company has a diverse range of people give thought-provoking and enriching talks to Google employees.‍

The Google employee benefits for a healthy work/life balance don’t end there! Googlers can also take up to three months off work to pursue interests outside of the office. ‍

Although this time is unpaid and must be committed to specific activities to qualify, Google does allow for up to three months of ongoing healthcare insurance. Many employees choose to take advantage of this benefit by donating their time to a community, political campaign, or nonprofit.

3. Parental Leave

People have a legal entitlement to time off when they welcome a new child through childbirth, adoption, or fostering. Google makes sure that it gives both parents time off at home before returning to work.‍

Google provides fathers with a 6-week parental leave and mothers with an 18-week parental leave. For reference, Twitter gives new parents up to 20 weeks of paid time off.‍

In some offices, this perk extends to cater to both parent and child. There are high-quality onsite daycare facilities with tailored learning plans for the children.

4. Paid Time Off

Most salaried employees are entitled to paid time off (PTO), although it is usually limited to sick and vacation days. Google provides a lot more to its employees, including bereavement leave. ‍

Vacation and sick time, as well as paid holidays, are all included in PTO. ‍

The amount of PTO an employee receives will depend on their job title, the number of hours they work per week, and how long they've been with the organization.

5. Financial & Retirement Benefits

To ensure the financial wellbeing of its employees, Google provides financial incentives, such as a 401(k) matching program. ‍

The company matches its employees’ 401K contributions dollar for dollar up to $3,000, and matches 50 percent of contributions up to $8,250. ‍

If an employee decides to leave the company, they can keep their contributions and matching contributions by rolling them over or withdrawing them. However, there's a penalty of 10% plus taxes.‍

The company also offers stock options and Google Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as a part of its compensation package for employees. 

6. Flexibility

Google uses a hybrid work model that gives employees (in most roles) two work-from-home days every week. The company also offers four “work from anywhere” weeks per year.‍

Having this type of flexibility is becoming more and more critical. It gives people a little more control over their schedule and everyday tasks and admin.

Related: Seven Facebook Benefits That Employees Love

7. Food & Snacks

The free lunches provided on the company's office campuses are one of Google’s most popular perks. The Google Office Campuses have various cafes, restaurants, and well-stocked micro kitchens that give free meals to Googlers. ‍

Employees at Google are rarely more than 200 feet away from food. They can also choose snacks to save for later. If free food isn’t enough, employees can also learn how to prepare delicious dishes with free cooking classes.‍

Google’s goal is to bring different departments together and allow its employees to meet each other and mingle. 

8. Fitness Facilities 

With its focus on its employees’ health and wellness, it comes as no surprise that one of the top Google employee perks is access to fitness facilities. ‍

The company has fitness centers at nearly every office. These gyms provide a variety of activities, including fitness classes, equipment, and swimming pools. For offices that don’t have onsite fitness facilities, Google pays for its employees’ gym memberships.‍

This is a great way to keep teams motivated, as working out is proven to relieve stress. It’s also convenient for employees as it means they can work out at a time that suits them and their schedules.

‍

‍

9. Mental Wellbeing

Google cares about the mental well-being of its employees. It provides employee assistance programs that are focused on mental health. ‍

On top of that, it provides access to mental health apps to help employees struggling with their mental health. ‍

Resources like this show that the company cares for its people and wants to help in any way it can. This initiative also looks great to prospective employees as mental health awareness is becoming more and more relevant these days. 

10. Onsite Services & Conveniences

Google’s perks and benefits exist to make life better and easier for the whole team team. As such, the company also offers a range of onsite services. ‍

One example is the company’s onsite laundromats, where employees can do their laundry and not have to wait until after hours to do it at home. ‍

Google also offers its employees free haircuts to save them a trip to the hairdresser!

11. Other Incentives

Google has its own gold star system, in which employees are rewarded with massage credits for a job well done. Employees can also donate their massage credits to coworkers in the spirit of giving. ‍

The merit-based system, and incentives like free meals, games, and services, create a pleasant environment for Googlers. It encourages employees to come to work happy and motivated every day.

‍

Final Thoughts

Google has established a reputation as a visionary leader that is always paving the way for other companies. The tech giant is famed for its generous treatment of its employees, from its opulent campuses to its excellent work-life balance. ‍

Google’s benefits and perks offering sits right up there with some of its biggest tech peers, including Facebook, Bloomberg, Airbnb, Visa, and Tesla.‍

While not every company can afford to be as generous, it’s a good idea to learn from Google’s benefits and perks and do what you can to keep your employees happy!