One one hand: Employees staying at work longer = super dystopian
On the other: Employers realizing their workers have human needs and desires and trying to fulfill those, kind of Utopian?
@Canageek The impact of such things is highly dependent on the culture. I would look for the company's actively discouraging long hours and encouraging work-life balance.
@zigg @Canageek That's why one should look for the active discouragement of long hours to go with such things. Also ways that people who don't use such things can also benefit.
Facebook, for example, has free laundry but also was giving people $4000 and 4 months leave (to both parents) to have a baby.
@seanl @Canageek Parental leave is important, but it doesn't preclude a culture that values sustainable pace.
My kids are way past the parental leave era; that doesn't mean I can safely ignore them. When they're grown, I won't sacrifice my life with my spouse for work hours either.
It's better to pay everyone enough to live (plus, it supports the local economy!) and make sure you never ask so much of them that they need to depend on you as an employer for more than the cash they owe you for your work.
@zigg Agreed! I was just giving an example of a benefit that tends to accrue to people who don't use some of the other benefits.