April 20, 2010

Are perks at work perks?

Listening to the politicians (and the bigots on phone ins) you begin to think it is the solemn duty of all of us to work. I have to say I don’t share that conviction. If you don’t want to work you shouldn’t have to. But similarly I don’t think that you should expect to be awarded benefits.

On the other hand, people in work expect rather more than a salary. More often than not it is the little sweeteners and add-ons that maker a job a lot more attractive or bearable. Being Brits, the first thing we expect is a pension. And all employers are supposed to have their own pension schemes now. And if not, then they should pay into a stakeholder pension.

I am not sure just how valuable a pension is. Yes it is tax-free and yes the employer pays in too. But you never actually see much of the money again. And if pensions are such a good idea – how come the pension providers are such big and rich companies.

Next on the list of much have work benefits is health insurance. That’s why you need to ask about group health insurance. Again I doubt you will ever use it and you will find the government will tax you to the hilt.

The best benefit of all for years has to be the a company car – and petrol. EWven now when the tax penalties for having a company car are severe – it’s still a huge benefit not to have to worry about the costs of running a car. And now fuel prices have gone through the roof…. Well let’s just say I wish I had free fuel!

What other benefits do I wish I had? Well a company credit card would be nice. And there was a time when the company paid for the television and video player. But not any more.

I guess the very best company benefit you can have is a bonus scheme. Think about it. You do your job and you get paid extra. It seems a bit of a scam – but that’s the way that we all seem to work nowadays

Are perks at work perks?

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