7 coolest companies in the world to work for
)
It’s important to find your work interesting and rewarding, but what do you need on top of that in order to love your job? The best workplaces are those that foster a fun and inspiring environment, and provide support and security in and outside of the workplace. When a workplace has a good culture, workmates enjoy getting their work done, and hard work becomes easier.
The list below is 7 companies within Australia and around the world that are highly regarded as awesome places to work. Some have excellent benefits and perks including free meals, on-site gyms, health care and paid parental leave. Others are regarded for their mission and values, and the way these are displayed with innovative, ethical policy.
Whether you’re invested in improving your own workplace, or searching for an inspiring career goal, keep reading to learn more about outstanding workplaces around the world.
#1: Facebook
Of all the major players in Silicon Valley, it comes as no surprise that Facebook is regarded as one of the best places to work. Mark Zuckerberg, the company’s celebrity CEO, recently updated Facebook’s mission statement: “To give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.” Explaining this mission, Zuckerberg says “It's important to give people a voice, to get a diversity of opinions out there, but on top of that, you also need to do this work of building common ground so that way we can all move forward together”. WIth such an inspiring message, it’s easy to understand why Facebook employees are dedicated to their workplace.
Plus, the benefits aren’t shabby: if you have a baby during your time at Facebook you’ll receive bonuses for babysitting expenses, and 4 months of paid leave at any time during your baby’s first year - for mums and dads. All employees receive 3 weeks paid annual leave as well as unlimited sick days. There’s a delicious cafeteria serving complimentary meals all day long. Facebook offers on-site health care and dental and premium health insurance. And the cherry on the cake? A weekly Q&A with Zuckerberg.
#2: Google
Google’s mission statement is “To organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful”, and they are renowned as one of the most influential companies in the world. Google has become a part of everyday life - to search for something using their web browser has become a verb: ‘to Google’. Employees at the tech-world superstar, knows as Googlers, report feeling as though they are part of shaping the future. But perhaps even more importantly, Googlers feel secure in their own future.
Meghan Casserley from Forbes reports on Google’s death benefits. If a Googler were to die during their time at the company, as well as the standard life insurance pay-out, “their surviving spouse or domestic partner will receive a cheque for 50% of their salary every year for the next decade”. While a death benefit sounds a little grim, it’s a pretty incredible assurance to offer, as doing so provides Google no fiscal benefit whatsoever. This speaks to the caring culture the company has managed to foster and maintain.
#3: Deloitte Australia
One of the Big Four professional service firms, Deloitte has over 150 offices around the world, specialising in auditory and advisory services. Their commitment to diversity makes them appealing to graduates. On their website, Deloitte explain, “One of the critical success factors for Deloitte’s growth has been its embrace of gender and cultural diversity to win the war for talent in this country.
Deloitte has now been recognised as an equal opportunity leader for women by the Federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency for eleven successive years.” Furthermore, the Australian Financial Review’s list of Top 100 Graduate employers places Deloitte as Australian graduates’ first preference.
#4: PricewaterhouseCoopers
This year, PwC was named by Linkedin as Australias most preferred company to work for. It wasn’t always this way - PwC have initiated a progress initiative that includes relaxing the dress code, and making working hours more flexible, which has clearly paid off. Dana McAuley reports employees benefit from “wellbeing programs, with meditation spaces and treadmill meetings”, plus nobody is expected to work on their birthday! In the bid to secure fresh talent as well as retain employees, this is just one example of a major firm deciding to refresh their outdated image.
#5: Airbnb
Airbnb is one of the most popular examples of companies based around a ‘sharing economy’. It’s a relatively young company, but it is creative and innovative. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 the company opened an initiative to allow hosts to share their home with disaster survivors for free. Airbnb elaborate, “It’s central to Airbnb’s core belief as a company -- that no matter who you are, where you're from, who you love, or who you worship, you deserve to belong.”
This feature is still being used today, in the wake of the most recent storms, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey. Listed as the best place to work in 2016 by Glassdoor, AirBnb gives their employees an annual bonus of $2000 to take a holiday in an AirBnb listing anywhere in the world!
#6: Qantas
If you love to travel, work for an airline. Qantas employees receive the major perk of heavily discounted travel, up to 90% off. This offer is also extended to their family, including siblings, parents, partners and children. What’s more, former employees are given the same benefitsfor as many years as they worked at the company. This means if you work at Qantas for 20 years, you get 20 years of discounted flights when you cease your employment.
Furthermore, since 1988 Qantas have been committed to providing employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians. Their Reconciliation Action Plan outlines the specifics of their commitment to improving opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
#7: Cotton On Group
If the tech and finance industries aren’t your thing, you may be interested to hear what it’s like working for the Cotton On Group. The Cotton On Group is committed to the development of their employees, both physically and mentally. Their head office in Victoria boasts a gym, personal trainers, a health food only ‘Fuel’ cafe (where prices are reduced for employees) as well as access to Osteopaths, Naturopaths and massage services. Employees at HQ and country hubs in Singapore, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg, Auckland, Los Angeles are given the opportunity to study a Diploma of Management through Deakin University.
Do you want a cool career?
Now that you’re all fired up to work for one of the coolest companies out there, go dust up your resume and read this clever article on how to adjust your attitude for success. All set!
)
)
