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“It’s A ‘Benefit’ To My Employer, Not Me”: People Are Sharing 30 Insulting Things A Job Has Offered Them
Interview With Author
Companies offer a variety of perks and benefits to attract the right talent into their business. After all, the workers are one of the most valuable assets a business can have, so it’s worth making sure that they feel happy and productive both in and out of the workplace.
Unfortunately, some employers seem to have a different idea about what makes their staff feel truly appreciated. Reddit user Chocolat3City asked fellow r/AntiWork members: "What's the most insulting 'benefit' a job has offered you?" and the thread spread fast, with more than 26.2K people finding it relevant.
Whether it’s a free uniform, personal protective equipment or lunch, stories that people shared seem to be serving the employer, not the employee. Take a look at some of the best answers we collected from the thread and be sure to share your experience in the comment section below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Free lunch every day.
Sounds great but let me explain.
I started a job some years ago and one of the benefits they sold us on was that they bought us lunch everyday. Each day, they would take our orders in the late morning to have lunch delivered by lunchtime. We only ever ordered from like 2 or 3 places but hey, it was free. Cool. Great.
But the problem was when I tried to do anything other than sit at my desk and eat. After a couple weeks, I started leaving my place of work for lunch here and there just to run errands, have a phone convo with family/friends/gf, or just eat by myself at a restaurant (the food they ordered wasn’t bad but it got old quick).
After having done this a few times, my manager stopped me one day and asked where I was going and why I sometimes leave. I replied “I’m Going on lunch.” He told me that the whole point of them ordering lunch for us was so we could eat at our desks while we continued to work. I was shocked lol. I asked him if he understood how lunch breaks worked in relation to the law and that he can’t keep me hostage, especially since I’m not being paid for being there during that hour. He then passively aggressively said “okay do what you want I guess”.
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#2
Food stamp eligibility. They paid so little that they listed government assistance as a BENEFIT.
Bored Panda reached out to the author of this post, Chocolat3City, to have a chat about benefits that employers offer but end up insulting the staff or potential employees. The idea to start this thread came from personal experience. The user lives in the U.S. and has just moved to another state.
"I've been looking at new job postings on the internet, and saw many employers trying to couch standard workplace amenities as 'benefits'," they said. This made the user think of one of their first jobs out of law school: "It offered me 'free parking,' but the pay wasn't competitive."
The user mentioned this in their post, saying that a thing that helps a person to access their workplace is a benefit to the employer, not the worker. "It's kind of like allowing the custodian access to an elevator of the high-rise building where he works, and calling it a 'benefit.' I think not," they added.
#3
Retail worker. As a reward for working through the Pandemic, the toilet paper crisis, not getting our pay for another 4 weeks and having one of our colleagues die of covid unexpectedly...
A box of 6 capri sun. There are 8 of us.
Casey Burns 2 years ago (edited)
3/4 a capri sun per person. Fantastic deal. Especially with free COVID.
#4
Silly socks day. To make up for the increase in abuse from patients (start of COVID). Thanks, my mental health is... great.
The thread collected more than 7.3K comments where many started sharing their own experiences. Chocolat3City thinks that the r/AntiWork community found it so relevant probably because everyone has worked extremely hard just to survive for the last couple of years.
According to them, some people are looking for work, while some have stayed in salaried jobs that are demanding more hours and scope without increasing compensation.
"We are particularly sensitive right now under these circumstances, and this fake benefits phenomenon both insults our intelligence and demeans the value of our labor. That's why I think many have such a visceral reaction to the post."
#5
A 'wobble room'. Basically a room where it was okay to go and have a little cry/freak out/meltdown if you got overwhelmed at work.
Instead of, you know, attempting to address the reasons why people were crying/freaking out/melting down at work...and then you were expected back front and centre for the rest of your shift.
#6
Free personal protective equipment. Literally required to be provided by the employer too.
Some benefits that the employers see as central are actually not so important in the eyes of the workers. According to a study from Robert Half, a global human resource consulting firm, companies often seem to miss the mark. More than 1.5K American employees and 600 HR managers participated in the survey. Results showed, that there seems to be a big disconnect between what’s being offered and what the staff actually wants.
For example, 66 percent of employees would prefer a compressed workweek—where they work more hours but fewer days per week. Unfortunately, only 17 percent of companies offer this perk. Also, when it comes to healthcare, many workers seem to be indifferent about some of the benefits the employer provides, e.g. vision insurance, which only a fraction of them needs.
#7
The 45 minute commute each way as a "great way to prepare for the day and de-stress when you go home."
What the f**k man.
#8
Company listed "withholding taxes" as a benefit. You know, the thing that they're legally obligated to do as an employer. Still laugh at that one.
#9
Weekend events, xmas parties.
Like I want to spend my personal time with work people...?
Chocolat3City thinks that companies disguise common conveniences as benefits simply to make the job look better: "Just like how any product is marketed. Of course, employers are always looking for ways to provide less compensation and fewer benefits for their employees."
They added that these perks can be used to distract from non-competitive compensation. The author of this thread hopes that employers read this post and "see what we really think of the 'benefits' they offer us."
#11
I have no maternity leave and hr told me that’s the benefit of working remote - I can just watch my baby while I work.
#12
A pinball machine and pool table for use on breaks that people got shamed for using.
Serial pacifist 2 years ago
I wouldn't mind having it. Hell, I wouldn't care being judged for it either.
#13
Casual Fridays. We're a tech business with no customer visits, why can't every day be casual?
Robert T 2 years ago
We used to do public training courses, but not every week. We wore casual every day in the office, unless there was a course on. Used to be suit and tie on a client site, at least until the client said they didn't mind casual. Went to one client in the Netherlands, with just smart gear for a fortnight, and on the second day client says they don't know why I bother to get dressed up. Bearing in mind this was February and there was ice on the canals, neither did I, as it was a summer suit and I was freezing waiting for the tram. Second fortnight I took casual clothes and a ski jacket and my god did that make a difference!
#14
Contact stated "flexible hours", but I was pulled aside and rinsed by a colleague and one of the company directors when I turned up at 9.30am on my second day.
It turned out that their interpretation of "flexible" went the other direction - you had to be in the office 9-5 plus at least 2 hours a day to "show your commitment".
#15
Windows. (The kind you look through, not the OS.)
Robert T 2 years ago
I've worked in offices with no windows. I've worked in open plan offices the size of two football fields where the noise is deafening. I've worked in offices where I've had my own room with a window. I've worked in offices where we had a stereo system to listen to music whilst we worked. Fortunately I travel between many clients, so I was never stuck in any of the horrible ones for long. Some of them would have driven me mad.
#16
"Free Parking" at my workplace.
My thinking is that if it's something that only helps me access my workplace (which I wouldn't need but for the job), it's a "benefit" to my employer, not me.
It's kind of like allowing the custodian access to an elevator of the high-rise building where he works, and calling it a "benefit." I think not.
#17
Pretending pizza is a 10k salary increase or anything significant
karin s. 2 years ago
At the end of a meeting where the boss had angrily said that it was the law that student workers have to get paid sick leave and holidays, but that it would be immoral as it would make science expensive, she told us she would sponsor a xmas pizza party. I did not attend and I also did not tell her were to shove that "generous" pizza.
#18
I cried at work and was offered a “normalize crying at work” sticker.
Didn’t seem to help.
#19
They set up an online store for us to purchase company merch with and then offered everyone I think 20 or 30 in credit, which would have been nice if the cheapest thing wasn’t $65 plus tax and shipping
Valisbourne Spiritforge 2 years ago
It's almost beyond belief when a company has a "Company Store" selling their merch, wants their employees to buy said merch and then charges an outrageous amount for the cheapest thing in their store.
#20
This is a discussion I had with my previous employer before I accepted their offer letter, discussing compensation:
Me: I'm used to my annual bonus being a significant portion of my total compensation, what's your bonus structure look like?
Them: We don't make specific commitments, it depends on company performance and your annual review.
Me: Sure, I get that, but I need to know a general ballpark. Is 8-12% in the general range that I should usually expect to see?
Them: Yes
I didn't get it in writing, because I'm a dumbass.
Sign on, work a few months, Christmas/ New Year's comes around. HR hands out bonuses. I open my envelope to find a $10 gift card to a local grocery store.
Figure "I've only been here a few months, maybe I'm not eligible for bonus yet, oh well".
Next year comes around, and it's another $10 gift card for the grocery store.
Started applying for new jobs that day.
Andy 2 years ago (edited)
Is it usual in the US for yearly bonus to be a set value? In the UK (at least the places I have worked), they usually have a bonus scheme which is very generally explained (e.g. you need to have worked for X time, have no disciplinaries etc to qualify), but if and how much of a bonus they give is dependent on the business end of year performance, and decided at that time
#21
"You get to work with kids!"
My job description was ALSO my benefits...
#22
Overtime. Yes it was listed in the job description as a benefit.
#23
JEANS DAY
Mohammad Ammar 2 years ago
Unless you're directly working with clients I don't see what problem people have with jeans at work. And if it's ok for a Friday then what about the other 4 days of the week?
#24
In a plastics factory where you're lifting 100+ pound iron molding pieces repetitively, they actually had the balls to point to a gym area that was "open to all employees". They couldn't figure out why only the office people ever used it.
#25
Company branded tennis shoes for Christmas. When am I ever going to want to wear tennis shoes that are company colors and have the logo of a hospital on them? They’re against dress code at work too lol.
#26
I had an employer that offered discounted tickets (theme parks, sporting events, concerts, etc) through a third-party website. The website charged a service fee that made the tickets the same price or sometimes more expensive than if you bought them through traditional methods.
#28
Pizza on fridays in the break room.
But it’s also a Bible study.
Rijkærd 2 years ago
Damn f*****g Bible study. I got fired as a graduate intern for not attending this s**t..less than 5 mnths didnt even finish my probation period at the place...am not a religious person. The place was'nt religious based, just a psycho bible ninja boss with a holyfucking attitude that stank to high heavens ....
#29
Bear with me, but it was a "game room."
It was actually a nice setup: table tennis, a few cabinets, and every console of the day.
The only problem was that anybody that actually used it during working hours was judged incredibly harshly. Like, it showed up in performance reviews. I think the hope was that it would drive people to play after hours and maybe eke a bit of extra work out of them. All of us just wanted to GTFO of the fluorescent-lit prison we'd just spent 8-9 hours in.
Eagle Girl 2 years ago
Oh if I got written up in a performance review for using an on-site facility, at the end when they ask your feedback, I'd give notice.
#30
“Experience”
You can get experience from a colonoscopy. Doesn’t mean you’re going to be able to use or monetize that experience outside of the paradigm within which you acquired said experience. And that’s assuming you wanted the experience in the first place.
What do you think ?
Jo Choto 2 years ago
I bow down and give thanks at the altar of self-employed small business owner/contractor where I do the work I love on my own schedule. May I never, ever have to work for anyone else ever again.
Gaby Almodovar 2 years ago
From what kind of work-slave countries are these answers? Real workplace-benefit are 13. month salary, Christmas-money, share-money or working in hotel-industry discounts for you and family members booking rooms in the hotels of the hotel-chain, where are you working. Using for free the facilities of the hotel, where are you working at: like gym, sauna, tennis-playground or having discounts in the hotel's shops, if you want to buy something there.
K Witmer 2 years ago
These are all from the American dream capital of the world good ole USA. These are all commonplace and they are actively trying to bully and shame people into thinking this is great for us and were so privileged. The brainwashed trump supporting conservatives all worship this ideology too while not being able to afford to eat. We have a workers shortage now but the people in charge are still making their millions of dollars in bonuses.
Load More Replies...
ben woskje 2 years ago
First "career" job out of uni - was on a starting salary in the 90's - approx $25k pre-tax. Got chewed out by my manager, as a 20 year old, because i didn't use the salary packaging solution the MD was getting kickbacks from. I was living at home, had a $300 car... at that stage in my life my money went towards savings (for a house) or beer... Still remember that psycho b*tch to this day.
Bob Belcher 2 years ago (edited)
I took a job at Travlers Insurance when I was starting college. One of the main reasons I took the job was because they offered tuition reimbursement up to $5000 a year. Sounds great for a college student. After the year long probation period I applied for it. Never heard anything back. 2nd semester I applied again and again never heard anything back. I asked my manager what was up and she referred me to HR. HR said all applications have to go to the VP of such and such. I emailed that person directly and was told they never received anything either semester. I asked HR what happened and was told my current position doesn't require a college degree so it was never sent for approval. This is the same company that each year you have to complete and have your manager approve an IDP - Individual Development Plan. Each year I wrote I wanted to go into finance or underwriting which requires a degree. Yeah, F them to hell and back.
Tuesday Next 2 years ago
I worked at a tourist site for a while that A) allowed us to purchase items from the gift shop at cost... including the t-shirts we had to wear to work if we wanted to wear anything other than the one uniform shirt they gave us that didn't breathe at all, which was important because B) a significant part of the job involved moderately heavy lifting and shoveling dirt in an outdoor area that could get over 110 F in midsummer, which was also the busiest time of the year. Management said they'd give us water, but all that meant was they'd buy one case of water bottles from Sam's Club at the beginning of summer and that was it.
bumble bee 2 years ago
What this goes to show is how coercive, manipulative employers really are towards their workers. People need to start standing up against places that practice these outrageous and often illegal policies.
Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
Why are so many managers, bosses and supervisors such @s$holes? Too many of the folks at the top are concerned with only the bottom line, and not the health or happiness of the employees on whom they depend.
Load More Replies...
Melissa Hollowell 2 years ago
I was once rewarded for my amazing performance...with an @$$load of more work. I literally asked them out and they said yes as if this was the most normal and logical thing in the world.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
"Educator appreciation day" One day where you get a massage or a box of chocolate is meant to make up for the way they treat you the rest of the time.
Khavrinen 2 years ago
The one that makes my blood boil isn't quite as bad as most of these, it's just the ridiculous cynicism of it that bothers me. I get 3-5 envelopes every month with big "Employer Benefits!" labels on them, and they're almost always ads for insurance companies. Oh boy, [ Employer]!! What a tremendous benefit -- *more* *junk* *mail*!!! Such generosity!
Requiem 2 years ago
My job of 11 years charges you for the first two uniforms and the rest are just switching them out when needed. Free parking is a bonus as NO where in my city has free parking for anyone. Senior employees get to park inside the building once they have been there a few years but its still a couple hundred a month.
Nicole Normand 2 years ago
We had real discounts for the theatre, the gym and some other stuff. They divided the costs payable in 3 months via your pay. Loved it.
Kelly Jo Andrews 2 years ago
I work in the kitchen at a local bar and grill. On the menu it encourages customers to by the cooks a beer or shot. We are not to get cash tips. Some people are underage and others don't drink..... and those who do drink, doesn't get charged for it as long as they have been there for over half their scheduled shift.
Janice Strickland 2 years ago
I honestly get decent benefits, pay. The warehouse has a gym and game room. Game tournaments with prizes. Random Christmas prizes my friend won a 32 in tv... We can give others 20$ to our company store. I accumulated 120$ in about 8 months. Overtime. Great vacation ratio. I will appreciate what I have after reading this
Lori Deason 2 years ago
Had a job that offered health insurance that cost more than what I made. The law says they only have to offer a plan. Also, since my husband had a good job and insurance they said I really didn't even need theirs. Hurray!(?)
Annie Bieber 2 years ago
I worked at Orkin as a Pest Control Inspector, my territory was the Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills, SF Valley...imagine poking thru every nook & cranny of Celebrities homes because it's your job! One client..Nicholas Cage...who lived at the time in Harry Houdini's mansion...AH-Mazing. Nice guy. The WORST? Ricky Rocket from Poison...whaddadick. 🙄
Jo Choto 2 years ago
I bow down and give thanks at the altar of self-employed small business owner/contractor where I do the work I love on my own schedule. May I never, ever have to work for anyone else ever again.
Gaby Almodovar 2 years ago
From what kind of work-slave countries are these answers? Real workplace-benefit are 13. month salary, Christmas-money, share-money or working in hotel-industry discounts for you and family members booking rooms in the hotels of the hotel-chain, where are you working. Using for free the facilities of the hotel, where are you working at: like gym, sauna, tennis-playground or having discounts in the hotel's shops, if you want to buy something there.
K Witmer 2 years ago
These are all from the American dream capital of the world good ole USA. These are all commonplace and they are actively trying to bully and shame people into thinking this is great for us and were so privileged. The brainwashed trump supporting conservatives all worship this ideology too while not being able to afford to eat. We have a workers shortage now but the people in charge are still making their millions of dollars in bonuses.
Load More Replies... ben woskje 2 years ago
First "career" job out of uni - was on a starting salary in the 90's - approx $25k pre-tax. Got chewed out by my manager, as a 20 year old, because i didn't use the salary packaging solution the MD was getting kickbacks from. I was living at home, had a $300 car... at that stage in my life my money went towards savings (for a house) or beer... Still remember that psycho b*tch to this day.
Bob Belcher 2 years ago (edited)
I took a job at Travlers Insurance when I was starting college. One of the main reasons I took the job was because they offered tuition reimbursement up to $5000 a year. Sounds great for a college student. After the year long probation period I applied for it. Never heard anything back. 2nd semester I applied again and again never heard anything back. I asked my manager what was up and she referred me to HR. HR said all applications have to go to the VP of such and such. I emailed that person directly and was told they never received anything either semester. I asked HR what happened and was told my current position doesn't require a college degree so it was never sent for approval. This is the same company that each year you have to complete and have your manager approve an IDP - Individual Development Plan. Each year I wrote I wanted to go into finance or underwriting which requires a degree. Yeah, F them to hell and back.
Tuesday Next 2 years ago
I worked at a tourist site for a while that A) allowed us to purchase items from the gift shop at cost... including the t-shirts we had to wear to work if we wanted to wear anything other than the one uniform shirt they gave us that didn't breathe at all, which was important because B) a significant part of the job involved moderately heavy lifting and shoveling dirt in an outdoor area that could get over 110 F in midsummer, which was also the busiest time of the year. Management said they'd give us water, but all that meant was they'd buy one case of water bottles from Sam's Club at the beginning of summer and that was it.
bumble bee 2 years ago
What this goes to show is how coercive, manipulative employers really are towards their workers. People need to start standing up against places that practice these outrageous and often illegal policies.
Freya the Wanderer 2 years ago
Why are so many managers, bosses and supervisors such @s$holes? Too many of the folks at the top are concerned with only the bottom line, and not the health or happiness of the employees on whom they depend.
Load More Replies... Melissa Hollowell 2 years ago
I was once rewarded for my amazing performance...with an @$$load of more work. I literally asked them out and they said yes as if this was the most normal and logical thing in the world.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
"Educator appreciation day" One day where you get a massage or a box of chocolate is meant to make up for the way they treat you the rest of the time.
Khavrinen 2 years ago
The one that makes my blood boil isn't quite as bad as most of these, it's just the ridiculous cynicism of it that bothers me. I get 3-5 envelopes every month with big "Employer Benefits!" labels on them, and they're almost always ads for insurance companies. Oh boy, [ Employer]!! What a tremendous benefit -- *more* *junk* *mail*!!! Such generosity!
Requiem 2 years ago
My job of 11 years charges you for the first two uniforms and the rest are just switching them out when needed. Free parking is a bonus as NO where in my city has free parking for anyone. Senior employees get to park inside the building once they have been there a few years but its still a couple hundred a month.
Nicole Normand 2 years ago
We had real discounts for the theatre, the gym and some other stuff. They divided the costs payable in 3 months via your pay. Loved it.
Kelly Jo Andrews 2 years ago
I work in the kitchen at a local bar and grill. On the menu it encourages customers to by the cooks a beer or shot. We are not to get cash tips. Some people are underage and others don't drink..... and those who do drink, doesn't get charged for it as long as they have been there for over half their scheduled shift.
Janice Strickland 2 years ago
I honestly get decent benefits, pay. The warehouse has a gym and game room. Game tournaments with prizes. Random Christmas prizes my friend won a 32 in tv... We can give others 20$ to our company store. I accumulated 120$ in about 8 months. Overtime. Great vacation ratio. I will appreciate what I have after reading this
Lori Deason 2 years ago
Had a job that offered health insurance that cost more than what I made. The law says they only have to offer a plan. Also, since my husband had a good job and insurance they said I really didn't even need theirs. Hurray!(?)
Annie Bieber 2 years ago
I worked at Orkin as a Pest Control Inspector, my territory was the Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills, SF Valley...imagine poking thru every nook & cranny of Celebrities homes because it's your job! One client..Nicholas Cage...who lived at the time in Harry Houdini's mansion...AH-Mazing. Nice guy. The WORST? Ricky Rocket from Poison...whaddadick. 🙄
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