Enjoyable work beats gym every time

by David Emin, Media Week 07-Oct-08, 12:00

Q: I have just joined a new company and have realised that the benefits I received at my last firm far outweighed those of my new one. One of the main benefits I am missing is the company gym, which was supplied free to the staff at my previous company.

Not only that, but they also supplied a personal trainer who was there at lunchtimes to keep us motivated. I am now facing the prospect of having to pay a hefty monthly fee to join a local gym if I want to remain fit. Shouldn't companies offer this kind of perk automatically in order to keep staff happy and fit?

A: These days people take so much for granted. I'm not saying that things were tough when I was growing up, but I was 12 before my older sister and I had our first personal trainers.

I'm not kidding when I say it was not much fun having to share footwear with your older sister, especially going to school in a pair of pink pumps that were two sizes too big.

Mind you, these days I'd probably consider that a perk.

While companies don't have to offer perks to employees, and in this current economic climate I'd guess there will be fewer on offer, it's worth checking out what "extras" a company has on offer when you go for your interview. This can sometimes be indicative of the attitude that a prospective employer has towards its employees. The perks on offer might not float your boat, but it does show that the company is thinking about its employees.

MediaCom, for example, is at number 72 in the 2008 Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For list, and when you check out the long list of perks on offer, you can't help but think that this must be connected to the low staff turnover the company enjoys.

But why should a company offer perks? Surely a decent salary is enough?

Well, although various surveys have said that perks do matter, and that firms who offer decent ones tend to have more motivated and enthusiastic employees, if we are really honest, the biggest attraction is interesting work.

If you are enjoying your work and the salary is acceptable, don't get too hung up on what's not on offer.

You've made the move and my advice is to get on with it. If you do feel the need to exercise, then why not see if the local gym will do a group discount for your company.

Failing that, there's always jogging at lunchtime, and, if it helps, I can always lend you my pink pumps.

David Emin is director of advertising at Mirror Group Newspapers. Send your dilemmas to david.emin@haymarket.com.