Free foods in the break room, is this normal in the bay area? (buy, income)

[YoungAccountant]

I just recently relocated to the Bay Area for work from Chicago. I have been working for a Telecommunication for about a week and half now. I was fascinated by the "perks" the company provides in which they are very rare in the East Coast.

For example, couple of the people I met told me that most companies in the Bay Area have break room where they have free snacks, drinks, and fruits provided for the employees vs. on the East Coast (personal experience), we have vending machines where it eats our money sometimes.

And OMG, the equipments I am using for my job right now (I am in Accounting), they are 5 times better than what I was using at my old job.... As well as the free lunch provided for the employees, they are just absolutely amazing. (We had Japanese food today, and they were the best Japanese food I had in my life).

Honestly, I feel so spoiled, at the same time I feel guilty because of all the "luxuries".

Just want to know if for companies on the West Coast

[hsw]

World's most profitable industries are software, hedge funds, VCs, PEs and IBs...which all have major offices/HQs in PaloAlto area or SF

Stuff like free food, free pkg, etc is awfully cheap for such employers; much more efficient for employers to not have >$200K/yr workers wasting time driving to find grub at some Chipotle or whatever...or being irritated abt not having civilized pkg at office

And reality is quality of food/espresso/fresh juices, etc available in MidtownManhattan or 200WestSt or Loop is awful vs what's available in major offices in SF or SV...quality of local CA produce, fresh breads, juices, etc etc is impossible to dupe at any cost in ex-CA US where quality stds are far lower and even affluent are accustomed to crappy food, commutes and weather

Much of why many argue, when properly value income potential and QOL/perks/weather, etc of SF Peninsula, place clearly offers world's greatest value to any industrious, highly skilled, upwardly mobile person....

[ubringliten]

Well, I have these perks at my workplace as well but this is my first working in the Bay Area. What I noticed is that there are lots of company shuttles that shuttle people from and to work.

[gizmo980]

As hsw basically stated, you're now working in/near Silicon Valley - welcome, and enjoy the perks! I work in a public library, so we don't reap the benefits like a private corporation... but we still have nice equipment, excellent tech support (including one full-time techie on site), and the occasional food in the break room. Usually it's just my co-workers who felt like cooking/baking, probably due to the fact that we're 90% female. Free food's always nice, especially when you're feeling broke!

[bigdumbgod]

Hey, that's not free food - that's my stuff in the fridge! Quit eating my lunch! You bastard!

[mayorhaggar]

Depends on the management. Most offices probably don't have free food sitting around--maybe a discounted vending machine or free food at meetings.

[Parti Rhinocéros]

I'm jealous! Although, on Wednesdays, my brokerage serves fresh fruit, eggs, danish, etc for its employees, so that's one of the days of the week I make it a point to do my paperwork in the office. =P

[jeffredo]

No freebies, but I don't work for a tech firm.

[sjnative]

It's common for SFBA employers to leave snacks in the breakroom or even just buy their employees lunch or dinner sometimes.

Doing the former helps productivity by keeping their brains cranked up on sugar & caffeine.

Doing the latter serves to keep employees at their desks during lunch time and at their desks during dinner time... well past the 8-hour mark.

The latter is also useful for pampering which is often done with the most sought-after talent. Non-pampered employees can always jump ship and work for an employer with better perks or even start their own companies.

You can stop feeling guilty and start performing. That's what your employer expects of you and if you don't perform, someone else will.

Now put all those luxurious calories to use already and stop wasting company time on this www nonsense.

[80skeys]

Yes it's not unusual for Silicon Valley companies to offer perks. I think it's mostly a high-tech industry thing, but maybe it has spilled over to other industries.

Certain famous companies are known for having (or had) great perks like free lunch.

The startup I work at was giving us catered dinners on Wedesnday nights. But business hasn't been good lately so they quit doing that.