Post by Petra G. on 30.12.2007 at 00:39:46
Swimming pools, volleyball and massages... just a normal day at the office for Google staff
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=504893&in_page_id=1811
It is one of the biggest companies in the world and now the internet giant Google has also been dubbed the most employee-friendly.
Whether your playing volleyball, taking a break in one of the 11 cafeteria's or having a massage from the resident masseuse, working for this global giant is like no other.
Set in the picturesque setting of Mountain View, California, this campus-like building hides what employees call 'Googleplex'.
Welcome to Google world: A full-size replica of Virgin Atlantic's Spaceship One hangs in the reception area
Welcome to Google world: A full-size replica of Virgin Atlantic's Spaceship One hangs in the reception areaGoogle has been ranked No.1 in Forbes business magazine's 2007 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America, following a poll 100,000 employees from 446 companies.
"I joke with my bosses that I would go there and work every day even if they didn't pay me," said long-time employee and VP of Search and New Products Division Marissa Mayer.
"It's an incredibly stimulating and employee-friendly environment to work in."
Google had its beginning in Silicone Valley only ten years ago, a start-up founded by Sergey Brin and Larry Page that literally originated in a small garage, expanding to just seven employees in a few months time.
Today, the £75 billion company employs 10,000 people around the world, receiving a C.V. every 25 seconds from eager job-seekers and hires an average of nine new employees a day.
Walk inside the main complex and you can see why so many people want to work at Google. The reception's decor includes a bright array of lava lamps, and a live projection of current search queries from around the world.
A three-dimensional rotating image of the world on permanent display on a large flat panel monitor stops visitors in their tracks.
In the main foyer of building 43 there is a colourful old-fashion phone booth, and employees and guests walk up wood stairs shadowed by a full-size replica of Virgin Atlantic's Spaceship One overhead.
But the lobby is only the beginning.
Free food: 'Googlers' enjoy free food served three times a day in eleven different cafeterias
Free food: 'Googlers' enjoy free food served three times a day in eleven different cafeteriasLying behind the swinging doors is an ivy-league university campus complete with volleyball courts, outdoor eating tables and two swim-in-place wave pools.
The only people found wearing suits and ties are visiting businessmen, 'Googlers' wear jeans, t-shirts, sweaters and on occasion some even show up in pyjama bottoms.
Arguably the biggest perk is free food served three times a day in eleven different cafeterias.
Employees love the meals so much that the phrase "the Google 15" has become part of their vernacular: fifteen being the average number of pounds the food-lovers put on after indulging in the myriad of gourmet organic recipes offered up.
And here, a coffee break is when you want to take it, in spacious mini-kitchens which contain all kinds of snacks including cereals, fresh fruit, candy, nuts, M&Ms, toffee, liquorice, carrots, yogurt, and dozens of drinks including self-serve cappuccino machines and soda.
Free fruit drink dispensers are everywhere for employees and guests alike, no coins or credit cards required.
To work off the pounds, and the stress, Google has its own state-of-the-art gym right on campus offering weight-training and a host of exercise machines, rowing machines, lockers and shower rooms.
For workers spending long hours in front of computers, or to just work out the kinks, there are massage rooms with professional masseuses available, plus electronic massage chairs in common areas.
To help employees work off the pounds, Google has its own state-of-the-art gym and swimming pool
To help employees work off the pounds, Google has its own state-of-the-art gym and swimming poolLarge and colourful exercise balls are everywhere, including in many of the office workspaces, along with stuffed animals, bean bags, and toys. Games are provided for employees' children and the young at heart.
Sleepy? There are plenty of areas with comfortable couches or bags to take a quick power nap in.
Then there are idea boards where Googlers can share their technical innovations or artistic ventures, recycle bins to toss electronic garbage. Press clippings from around the world are posted on bulletin boards.
Imagine walking into a company's headquarters anywhere else in the world and seeing employees playing pool in the middle of the day, or whizzing through the long office hallways or between buildings on electric scooters.
And if pool isn't your thing, there's assorted video games, ping pong, Foosball, pinball machines, even a baby grand piano to practice a bit of Mozart on.
"It's almost impossible to find a perk that Google doesn't offer its employees," said Adam Lashinsky of Fortune Magazine.
"It's the kind of place where, yes, you're going to work but you also know you're going to have a fun time as well."
Other perks include free haircuts, dry cleaning and laundry, child care, car services and five onsite doctors available for employee check-ups; all free of charge.
Employees playing pool in the middle of the day... only at Google
Employees playing pool in the middle of the day... only at GoogleIn the office areas most Googlers have high powered Linux OS workstations on their desktops.
Googlers prefer to work in high density clusters with three or four staffers sharing a large office space.
And just to top it all off Google is very pro-environment, encouraging its workers to ride their bicycles to work whenever possible.
Electric cars and motorised scooters join pedlars in transport options. And in the car lots, pregnant Googlers get their own parking spots closest to the doors.
Perhaps the most unusual bonus of all... employees can bring their dogs to work with them and keep the four-legged canine in their offices.
But if you do bring in your four-legged friend then beware - there is to be no biting, growling, barking.
Oh, and owners are obliged to clean up after their pets.