Corporate Office Perks
I LOVE working from home, but I do go into the office sometimes. My team tries to line up our schedules and go in a couple Wednesdays a month together.
When I first got hired, my partner and I drove up to the complex and were surprised at the size of the buildings and property. I never saw myself working an office job in a sea of cubicles, but coming from teaching, there are some definite perks to working in a corporate office.
Coffee/Tea
The break rooms are all stocked with coffee and tea options. Having a fancy coffee machine provided is not something I am used to. Not only that, but there is creamer? Whoa, steady now.
Flexible schedule
I can get up and use the bathroom when I want. I can eat lunch when I want. I can take a walk or break when I want. I can arrive or leave when I want. This is novel to me.
Desk setup
I have a remote controlled standing or seated desk. There is also an electronics closet where I can choose a keyboard, mouse, headset, etc. Every cubicle is always stocked with paper, pens, and other stationery.
Free lunch
This is probably not a perk in every workplace, but Capital Group provides free lunch in their cafeteria on the days we come in. It is so nice not to have to pack a lunch. One less thing to worry about in the mornings.
Physical safety
Something that was always on my mind as a teacher was the potential for violence. Hallway fights or school shootings are potential outcomes in any school building, so I feel much safer in my office.
Don't get me wrong; I prefer remote work. If I could work from home full time, I would. Not commuting is a huge contributor to my overall happiness and mental health, and my home office is much more customized to my liking than my work cubicle. Working from home saves me money by not needing car repairs, formal clothes, dog walkers, etc., contributing to my financial well-being as well.
But if you find a job you love like I did, and they require you to be in the office full time or part time, know that working in person at an office is very different from working in person at a school. Corporate offices have many amenities that ease the transition.
