One thing I’ve noticed about getting a lot of perks is, for some reason, it makes me feel “safe”; in a way that a high salary doesn’t. Probably because I would just save most of the high salary, but perks force me to live like a rich person. And therefore, make me feel like a rich person. This, therefore, makes me feel that my job security/life is better/safer than it actually is. I would always prefer cash compensation. Cash doesn’t distort my thinking (as much), and it helps me weather possible unemployment. Therefore, I would be much sadder to lose a highly-paid job than a high-perk job. However, feeling rich does have its benefits. It makes me more willing to take risks in my work and behaviour. Another problem with perks is the psychological confusion of seeing so much money being spent by a charity. This wouldn’t apply to a for-profit. Also, some perks, like a PA, are a much clearer signal that “we value your time”. Other perks, like a super fancy resort, seem morally weird coming from an “EA non-profit”.
One thing I’ve noticed about getting a lot of perks is, for some reason, it makes me feel “safe”; in a way that a high salary doesn’t. Probably because I would just save most of the high salary, but perks force me to live like a rich person. And therefore, make me feel like a rich person. This, therefore, makes me feel that my job security/life is better/safer than it actually is. I would always prefer cash compensation. Cash doesn’t distort my thinking (as much), and it helps me weather possible unemployment. Therefore, I would be much sadder to lose a highly-paid job than a high-perk job. However, feeling rich does have its benefits. It makes me more willing to take risks in my work and behaviour. Another problem with perks is the psychological confusion of seeing so much money being spent by a charity. This wouldn’t apply to a for-profit. Also, some perks, like a PA, are a much clearer signal that “we value your time”. Other perks, like a super fancy resort, seem morally weird coming from an “EA non-profit”.