tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post2999579215576576456..comments2024-01-07T19:55:48.622-08:00Comments on Northwest Ladybug: The ultimate employee benefit at MicrosoftCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07918419288660146429noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post-14534616523877763632009-05-19T23:55:09.590-07:002009-05-19T23:55:09.590-07:00Funny but I've gotten free tampons *everywhere* th...Funny but I've gotten free tampons *everywhere* that I have ever worked. I think companies would rather stock up the ladies'room with them so women will just go in, get one when they need, then get back to work. Otherwise, women are trying to be all secret when they have to sneak a tampon out of a desk drawer and smuggle it into the bathroom with them... takes too much time and time away from work that way.<br /><br />I haven't had the rest of those bennies though... nice!jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07855971331074419992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post-71070754785354506062009-05-14T22:43:00.000-07:002009-05-14T22:43:00.000-07:00Well, I think the free tampon thing is pretty amaz...Well, I think the free tampon thing is pretty amazing. (Nope, never seen THAT before, ever!) I WOULD have said that with a bit of smugness ("don't need THOSE anymore!") but then biology wacked out on me this week...Tonyahttp://agategal.typepad.com/kingfisher_cove/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post-34785411037788182352009-05-14T20:41:00.000-07:002009-05-14T20:41:00.000-07:00Thanks Anonymous (why "Anonymous"?!). I appreciat...Thanks Anonymous (why "Anonymous"?!). I appreciate the clarifications. I took a few things from memory (obviously my $10 memory is way off!), but got the rest on ms.com/careers. Sounds like the page needs updating -- or at least clarifications! In any case, glad you stop by!<br /><br />CarolCarolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918419288660146429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post-4013643236682272032009-05-14T20:22:00.000-07:002009-05-14T20:22:00.000-07:00Long-time reader here. I love your blog!
Sorry t...Long-time reader here. I love your blog!<br /><br />Sorry to contradict, but Microsoft's benefits, while very good, are different from what you've posted. Some corrections:<br /><br />- MSFT software at the company store hasn't been $10 since the '90s! Games held out at that price for awhile, but now those are half-off (and sometimes more expensive than Amazon or other retailers). Windows, Office, etc. are heavily discounted but cost $40+.<br /><br />- Dental and vision are not 100%. Dental is the same as most employers, generally 100% preventative, 80% minor work (cavities), and 50% for major work, up to an annual limit ($1500, I think). Vision is also the same as most other WA employers, variable coverage up to a (small) limit.<br /><br />- FTEs have no deductible, but do co-pay for annual physicals and there are limits to some kinds of coverage. Part-timers have a $300 deductible per family member.<br /><br />- Recurring prescriptions go through a by-mail service and I believe must be generic when available.<br /><br />- parental leave is not 8 weeks for each parent. There's an 8-week paid maternity leave for moms only, and then a 4-week paid parental leave for each parent, that must be completed within 6 months of birth. Parents may also take another 8 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave. (Everyone in WA state gets 12 weeks of guaranteed parental leave. Microsoft pays the first 4 of that.)<br /><br />- You pay for the healthclub membership -- around $50/month in taxes.<br /><br />- The childcare "discounts" are a joke -- go hang out on the internal moms' alias. Microsoft is way behind other area employers in this benefit.<br /><br />- Vacation time at Microsoft is nothing special. 3 weeks/yr for your first 6 years.<br /><br />While Microsoft's medical benefits are truly among the best you can find, and its parental leave and charitable contribution matching are also above average, all of its other benefits are no better than other local large corporate employers.<br /><br />And you're definitely taking a hit to compensation (wages, bonuses, stock). I've worked at two other large technology companies in the area in addition to Microsoft, and Microsoft's comp was by far the lowest (and flattest). I'm much happier paying a little for medical benefits and earning 2.5x as much :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post-81934136966199225932009-05-14T06:48:00.000-07:002009-05-14T06:48:00.000-07:00I would LOVE even a few of those benefits. Teacher...I would LOVE even a few of those benefits. Teacher ones are getting worse and worse as we pay more out of pocket each year for everything. (with not a huge salary to start with)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17197599882756386184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post-6791238536340355432009-05-14T05:20:00.000-07:002009-05-14T05:20:00.000-07:00Most of the big pharmaceutical companies have all ...Most of the big pharmaceutical companies have all those same bennies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post-68635842958075611132009-05-14T03:03:00.000-07:002009-05-14T03:03:00.000-07:00Nice! I assume it's hard to get a job there?Nice! I assume it's hard to get a job there?Goofballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11155032632164828945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31107400.post-6382058990465598062009-05-13T23:53:00.000-07:002009-05-13T23:53:00.000-07:00Can I get a job please? I like free stuff. Espe...Can I get a job please? I like free stuff. Especially when it's COOL free stuff.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08342109839956458589noreply@blogger.com