How does your office compare to this (from AJ last week)
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by SIV WINNER: ASSAEL Contrary to popular belief, the outstanding quality of the submissions for Employer of the Year suggested that large architectural practices are both enlightened and imaginative employers. The jury, which unanimously voted for Assael, was particularly struck with its policy of rewarding staff who have been with the practice for 10 years with 20 days' paid leave (in addition to the usual 25 days) along with two round-the-world air tickets. All employees are given a £250 annual allowance towards a European trip, on the less than onerous condition that they report back at the practice's Friday afternoon meetings when the office closes at 3.30pm for drinks. This, incidentally, is in addition to the annual average training budget of over £700 per year which can be spent on learning to drive, cook or act, as well as the more predictable range of CPD options.
The jury was also impressed, even a little incredulous, to hear that the managing director makes a point of personally meeting with students once a week
That's a nice gift for 10 years of service. Dont understand the training budget though. Wouldn't they want you to get training in your field? Sounds more like a bonus to me.
I do wish American employers gave more benefits in terms of bonus vacation time and vacation allowances. We work too hard over here. Across the pond it seems they have it better figured out that a good employee doesn't work 60 hours/week and is a slave to their occupation.
Maybe they work on the principle that any education benefits the practice. Just imagine, if you learnt to cook, you could provide delicious snacks to go with those drinks on Friday afternoon.
but does that company let you wear t shirt and jeans/shorts to work everyday? that would be a great benefit most employers seem to very much frown upon.
Actually, I pretty much CAN wear what I want, just dress up for meetings. It is a GREAT perk and really cuts down on my morning getting ready for work time.
Today: tennis shoes, jeans, hoodie.
Yesterday: Skirt, heels, blazer.
I don't think a relaxes dress code is all that unusual for arch firms. The round-the-world plane tix at 10 years does sound unusual. Did work at a place where management bought an employee a 10 day trip to Alaska after 35 years. It wasn't an arch firm.
even though we work 50+ hours/week pretty often in our office, each of us gets almost 6 weeks off every year as paid leave. The only condition being that we have to let everyone know at least a month in advance so work can be routed efficiently. I really like my office, not so sure if i like the actual work though...but its a tradeoff and i undestand that
man, I just want an office that'll not give me shit about piercings. Is that too much to ask? Maybe I should be asking for nine weeks off and a European vacation instead...
UK law (and I think European) has a minimum of three weeks but most places give more but even so, nine weeks is pretty unusual. My only hope with this firm is that they pay really badly - otherwise I think the directors must be up for sainthood (or heading for bankruptcy).
May 12, 06 2:13 am ·
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The Perfect Employer
How does your office compare to this (from AJ last week)
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by SIV WINNER: ASSAEL Contrary to popular belief, the outstanding quality of the submissions for Employer of the Year suggested that large architectural practices are both enlightened and imaginative employers. The jury, which unanimously voted for Assael, was particularly struck with its policy of rewarding staff who have been with the practice for 10 years with 20 days' paid leave (in addition to the usual 25 days) along with two round-the-world air tickets. All employees are given a £250 annual allowance towards a European trip, on the less than onerous condition that they report back at the practice's Friday afternoon meetings when the office closes at 3.30pm for drinks. This, incidentally, is in addition to the annual average training budget of over £700 per year which can be spent on learning to drive, cook or act, as well as the more predictable range of CPD options.
The jury was also impressed, even a little incredulous, to hear that the managing director makes a point of personally meeting with students once a week
GOSH !!! ... that's awesome ...
do they have any vacancies !???
I wouldn't think anybody ever leaves
anyway .. that's something to work towards ...
That's a nice gift for 10 years of service. Dont understand the training budget though. Wouldn't they want you to get training in your field? Sounds more like a bonus to me.
I do wish American employers gave more benefits in terms of bonus vacation time and vacation allowances. We work too hard over here. Across the pond it seems they have it better figured out that a good employee doesn't work 60 hours/week and is a slave to their occupation.
Maybe they work on the principle that any education benefits the practice. Just imagine, if you learnt to cook, you could provide delicious snacks to go with those drinks on Friday afternoon.
sure beats hawaiian shirt day and chili cook-offs.
I went from nothing to "hawaiian shirt day" and I felt pretty special.... Till now.
but does that company let you wear t shirt and jeans/shorts to work everyday? that would be a great benefit most employers seem to very much frown upon.
Actually, I pretty much CAN wear what I want, just dress up for meetings. It is a GREAT perk and really cuts down on my morning getting ready for work time.
Today: tennis shoes, jeans, hoodie.
Yesterday: Skirt, heels, blazer.
I don't think a relaxes dress code is all that unusual for arch firms. The round-the-world plane tix at 10 years does sound unusual. Did work at a place where management bought an employee a 10 day trip to Alaska after 35 years. It wasn't an arch firm.
My friend used to make eyeglasses at a factory, and they gave a month off and plane tickets to anywhere after 20 years.
we have "Beer Thursday" (stop work @ 4:30 for beer, wine and snacks)...and the Office Olympics, held each summer...
This year's teams:
Suriname (formerly Dutch Guyana - my team)
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Turkmenistan
Togo
Uruguay
Moldova
I JUST REALIZED, IT'S THURSDAY!!!!!!
WOOHOO!
my boss is the perfect employer. i have the perfect job
even though we work 50+ hours/week pretty often in our office, each of us gets almost 6 weeks off every year as paid leave. The only condition being that we have to let everyone know at least a month in advance so work can be routed efficiently. I really like my office, not so sure if i like the actual work though...but its a tradeoff and i undestand that
oh and yes, we can wear whatever we want, play whatever music we want, but are expected to dress properly and behave for meetings!
Yes, but that office gives NINE WEEKS holiday in total (in England we calculate holiday days on a working week basis - i.e. five d.p.w.).
steven you'll like this our office is going to churchill downs to play with the horsies...
man, I just want an office that'll not give me shit about piercings. Is that too much to ask? Maybe I should be asking for nine weeks off and a European vacation instead...
hey vado, sounds like a fun day! hope the bourbon'll be flowing.
at first i thought that was a sarcastic entry.
then i read it again and googled them and found out that they actually exist... there is hope.
!!!
mouse, we are in the US, here 6 weeks of paid vacation (and good bosses) are pretty unheard of....hence my exhilaration
Yeah... we have 10 days, and you have to take mandatory vacation between Christmas and New Years. Ugh.
UK law (and I think European) has a minimum of three weeks but most places give more but even so, nine weeks is pretty unusual. My only hope with this firm is that they pay really badly - otherwise I think the directors must be up for sainthood (or heading for bankruptcy).
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