Do you have a slide in your office?
October 13th, 2008 by Edward Ford
Google knows how to make employees happy. And these pics, including the one above of the Internet giant’s Zurich offices confirm that fact. Pics via TrendHunter.
While perks like in-house massage parlors, inventive workspaces and cool break rooms certainly put a smile on employees faces, do they really improve business results?
Also, as the economic downturn begins to ripple through various industries, will perks like these be seen investments in innovation or frivolous spending? What message does it all send to employees? Let us know what you think.
UPDATE: I was sick on Friday, so I’m catching up on some reading and came across this post from Amy Novak at PR News sharing her thoughts after a recent trip to Google headquarters just outside San Francisco, CA.
Tags: Google
October 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
this shit is too intense. how could you do work? i would keep sliding. all damn day.
October 13th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
well, the metal on that slide looks like it could put some kinks in my back. i might have to cap a long day of sliding with a nice massage.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Hi Edward, great Google pictures!
To answer the question you had for me regarding my Google campus visit, I think their innovation sparks their work environment. They are creative, “outside the box” people and that’s why their work environment is so crazy. BUT I think it could all get to be a bit much. Seems like having your weekly meetings in a giant, inflatable tent in the middle of your office would be distracting.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I can certainly understand your thought about it all being too much. I doubt that companies around the world will turn their work environment into playland. However, I think companies can learn from the philosophy of having their physical space reflect who they are and who they aspire to be. There is definitely a connection between the two.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:42 am
My boyfriend was the DJ at the opening party of the new Zurich office and so his bottom has actually graced that slide! He loved it and said the employees thought it was fab – he’s been to a number of their sites in Europe and says that the commitment and passion of the people to Google is amazing -everyone really is a Googler, he’s even said he’d give up his life in music to work there which given his aversion to a “real job” is a statement indeed to how creative the Google workplace is – but I’d have to err on the side of caution – surely it’s a way to make sure you never leave the office…
October 17th, 2008 at 10:57 am
nice! i need to find a way to get to a google office, even if it’s just to test out the slide. that said, i’m sure you’re right that there is more than enough work to make slide breaks, massages and rounds of pool necessary.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 am
great tips. I enjoyed reading this
February 18th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Pretty cool! We built a slide for our swimming pool from scratch. I guess now i will have to add one in our house