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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder if your workplace has better benefits than MNHQ offers?

56 replies

chomalungma · 20/02/2020 09:13

Just from a recent advert for a MNHQ job

"We host team lunches, staff parties and knowledge sessions; we have a book club and a shuffleboard league; and we have our own yoga studio while remaining tolerant of the Lycra-averse. Working for Mumsnet means never having to pretend you don’t have a family (or other commitments) and we promise never to keep you away from the school sports day.

Where we are

We’re based in sunny Kentish Town, where you’re never more than 500 metres away from a sourdough pizza and an elaborately refurbished pub."

Well - certainly sounds like more is available than we have.

We have time off for family comittments so that's good.
Free tea and coffee
And are next door to a great bakery

We don't have a shuffleboard league though!

OP posts:
BlooperReel · 20/02/2020 13:07

free gym onsite, free yoga classes, after 5 years service the pension is very generous, huge flexibility depending n your role, free fruit, teas, coffee, biscuits and hot drinks, then the more standard healthcare, life insurance and critical illness cover. I think its pretty good.

ShirleyPhallus · 20/02/2020 13:08

This sounds like an awful place to work! I’d much prefer proper, financial benefits than pally-pally socials.

innuendobingo · 20/02/2020 13:08

I've been to actual MNHQ and apart from the air con being on the blink, it seemed quite a nice place to work! Suspect that they get lots of things to try out (and presumably keep) too.

innuendobingo · 20/02/2020 13:09

In my normal life I am NHS so all the usual perks as others have stated, job security is a big one for me as well as them being mega flexible with me in terms of childcare etc.

IntermittentParps · 20/02/2020 13:13

team lunches, staff parties and knowledge sessions
I don't know what knowledge sessions are, but I'm a misanthrope and team lunches and staff parties are my worst nightmare...

I'd like the yoga studio though. And I might even countenance joining the book club.

MitziK · 20/02/2020 13:14

Oh god, @peterpangoeswrong - that sounds like absolute Hell. I'd pay my own gym membership just to be able to avoid most of that.

Except Keith Allen - he was lovely to DP when he had flu and still turned up to perform at a gig - Keith carried DP in his arms and set him down somewhere comfortable after he passed out, put a blanket over him and then kept on checking on him throughout the evening to make sure he was alright.

blahnlah · 20/02/2020 13:14

@thunderthighsohwoe yep, secondary school in London. I have a few teacher friends and same for them.

MethodToThisMadness · 20/02/2020 13:17

I would hate those benefits.
We get 10-20% off in loads of places and, more importantly a public sector pension (even if it's not as good now as it was) and sick pay etc.

blahnlah · 20/02/2020 13:17

Oh I used to work in buying, think having the entire Asos or Topshop stock at your fingers to keep or borrow. I have an amazing wardrobe!

blahnlah · 20/02/2020 13:21

don't the police get free travel & discount off Nando's

AutumnRose1 · 20/02/2020 13:22

I don’t see any of those things as benefits.

Not that I’ve ever had any good benefits except free gym which was fab.

Also good policies on sick leave and emergency.

PhilCornwall1 · 20/02/2020 13:24

"We host team lunches, staff parties and knowledge sessions; we have a book club and a shuffleboard league; and we have our own yoga studio while remaining tolerant of the Lycra-averse. Working for Mumsnet means never having to pretend you don’t have a family (or other commitments) and we promise never to keep you away from the school sports day.

Completely "fluffy" benefits to be honest.

I'll stick with the pension, 4x salary death in service, critical illness cover, private healthcare and car thank you. Admittedly I pay tax on the car, but nothing compared to what it would cost me to buy and run it. Oh and working from home is one of the best benefits of all.

thecatsthecats · 20/02/2020 13:27

We have a monthly staff picnic that we take turns to organise on a budget.

We're always flexible with staff, but we don't dress it up in patronising terms. One person's concert isn't considered less important than another person's sick kid or school play.

Our office is near some restaurants but that doesn't really qualify asa perk. We have a basement if people want to crack on with yoga down there.

Oh, and unlimited free tea, coffee and squash. (It did include biscuits, but when the office feeder left, I quietly ordered those to stop and everyone lost about half a stone).

Babybel90 · 20/02/2020 13:28

@JanewaysBun surprisingly I don’t!

GnomeDePlume · 20/02/2020 13:28

Very generous where I work. We have flexi-time as in I can start as early as I like and finish as late as I like so long as all the work is done and all pigs are fed and ready to fly at a moment's notice.

Strokethefurrywall · 20/02/2020 13:29

We have free yoga, tea/coffee, fresh fruit, all paid staff parties on a quarterly basis with epic spot prizes, full healthcare benefits, pension, up to 38 days leave allowance per year, comped lunch and learn sessions, departmental evenings out, good bonuses at FYE, flexibility to attend school stuff etc.

Am offshore but indicative of the law firm I'm with., which treats it's employees pretty well.

BitOfFun · 20/02/2020 13:31

I think it sounds lovely- I'd apply if I were living in London!

EdgeWithNoReason · 20/02/2020 13:38

We have great holiday allowance, flexible working, free tea, coffee, cold drinks and all meals. We have a good pension and sick pay.

We have access to free counselling if needed and teams hard work is celebrated and rewarded.

justmyview · 20/02/2020 13:46

My previous office had flexi time but no other perks. Statutory minimum all the way, and even that was paid begrudgingly

AlexaAmbidextra · 20/02/2020 13:48

If you read reviews from former MN staff though, they say that MN life isn’t quite so great for their childfree workers and that parents are actually treated more favourably.

NeverTwerkNaked · 20/02/2020 13:52

30 days annual leave plus one bonus day at Christmas and bank hols on top of that

Decent mat leave and a 16% employers pension contribution.

Flexi time , can work school hours only etc

we have yoga classes and a table tennis table

No sourdough pizza place round the corner but we do have a Gregg's Grin

NeverTwerkNaked · 20/02/2020 13:53

(public sector)

Oh and 6 months full sick pay and 6 months of half pay, which is a bit of peace of mind.

blahnlah · 20/02/2020 13:56

imo public sector generally has far more financial perks than private eg mat pay, sick pay, etc.

PhilCornwall1 · 20/02/2020 14:00

imo public sector generally has far more financial perks than private eg mat pay, sick pay, etc.

Apart from the actual salary the public sector pays.

blahnlah · 20/02/2020 14:22

@PhilCornwall1 can't speak for all areas but my wage is very similar & if you add in the pension it's better.

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