11 Firms With the Best Work-life Balance

Working is an essential part of life. Like it or loathe it, we need to put in the hours to make the money to live – unless you win the lottery of course, but that’s a story for another day.

Yes, we need to work to pay the bills, provide for our families, and enjoy things in a world that isn’t free; but we shouldn’t let work consume our every waking moment – balance is key.

Companies and organizations are becoming more aware of this, and in-turn have started introducing better perks to allow employees to enjoy a better work-life balance.

And without further ado, let’s take a look at how companies are keeping employees happy.

Facebook

As a proud father of two, Mark Zuckerberg has expressed his desire to enable his employees to grow their families outside of work. Facebook has since launched its four-month paid parental leave policy along with a US$4,000 Baby Cash bonus to employees with a newborn.

But that doesn’t mean employees without parenthood on the horizon are left behind. One perk is the flexibility to set personalized work schedules – meaning you can organize your working day to best suit you.

Vans

Known for its skateboarding shoes and apparel, Vans offers employees alternative work schedules – meaning shortened Fridays every week of the year, as well as an on-site gym and yoga classes.

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Netflix

The streaming service says it isn’t its place to dictate what things employees should care about – and believe in providing resources to alleviate distractions and help employees do their best work.

Netflix’s parental leave policy is “take care of your baby and yourself”. Salaried employees – birth and adoptive parents – can take up to a year off at full pay following the birth or adoption of their child.

But it’s not just maternity/paternity leave that’s exceptional, the company’s vacation allowance is also fantastic. Netflix don’t set a holiday and vacation schedule, so you can decide when your mind and body need a break.

Adobe

The company based in San Jose offers 26 weeks of maternity leave and adoption assistance for all new and expectant parents.

Five years of loyal service won’t go unnoticed either with the opportunity to take a sabbatical, as well as up to US$10,000 in education expenses to further your learning.

Cisco

Tech company Cisco offers decent perks to its employees, including, on-site medical and fitness centers to a “fun fund” for each team to use on activities per quarter. Cisco also strongly encourages remote work, with most of their 80,000 employees working remotely at least part of the time. Talk about getting the joys of working from home.

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Spotify

Don’t get us wrong, enjoying lunchtime jam sessions and free concerts are a great perk, but it’s what Spotify promises to do for your family life that matters.

New parents get six months of parental leave and those planning to have a child can get fertility assistance and money to freeze their eggs if they don't plan to start a family in the near future.

Keller Williams Realty

The realtors’ company places complete trust in its associates to create their own schedules and work efficiently. It believes they are giving employees ownerships of their time, and their earning potential.

Zillow

Are you a new mother who can’t be near her new baby at feeding time? No problem at Zillow.

Moms can have their breast milk shipped overnight to their child if they have to travel for work. Now that’s meals on wheels.

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Costco

As a retail superstore, Costco doesn’t do too badly when it comes to showing employees they’re appreciated. Some benefits include earning time and a half on Sundays, seven paid holidays off with a floating holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (in the US of course), a 401K plane with a 50 cents on the dollar match up to US$500, and “affordable” dental, health, and eyesight insurance.

World Wildlife Fund

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the world’s leading conservation organization, supporting projects focused on saving wildlife species and their habitats.

To ensure this worthwhile work is completed with ease and to the most efficient standard, WWF also takes time to support employee satisfaction.

The loveable panda – one of the species the organization continues working to save – has become an obvious mascot for WWF’s mission. In turn, the company had adopted the tradition of “Panda Fridays” where employees get every other Friday off. Long weekends galore for evermore.

Northern Gas and Power

British company Northern Gas and Power (NGP) goes above and beyond the realms off giving employees time off to recharge – giving employees the entire month of December off it they meet their individual financial targets.

One executive said, “At Christmas especially we want them to finish early and spend time with their family. “The [team] work hard and we believe that the success they create for us should be shared.”

When it comes to improving work-life balance day-to-day, it’s the little things that matter.