The issue of the relevance of additional employee oriented services at SAS and long-term commitment together with maintaining a work-life balance is a highly controversial one. On the one hand, the company definitely provides a fairly comprehensive care to its employees. On the other hand, the true cost of such care and reasoning behind it are yet to be determined.
In my particular case it is highly unlikely that services like dry cleaning and massage can alone contribute to a long-term professional commitment. Such perks may serve a short-term bait for new enlistees just to demonstrate the extent of care that the company has for them. Over time, however, such services may impose a threat to the freedom of choice. It is both in human nature and in the nature of free economy that people tend to keep choosing the best provider of services, so these temporary conveniences, in my understanding, may not contribute to loyalty in the long run.
Concerning the work-life balance, there are also several critical points that deserve to be mentioned. It is clearly in the best interest of the company that its employees mingle and socialize during both formal and non-formal corporate events. However it is yet to be determined whether such kind of activities is in the best interest of the employees. Besides that, the fact that there are many additional facilities and services available on campus may encourage employees to stay in the office and work extra hours, which is also good for the company, but may violate a fragile life-work balance.
References:
- Employee & Retiree Services (n.d.).In SAS Website online. Retrieved from http://www.sas.com/company/sasfamily/index.html
- Other Services (n.d.). In SAS Website online. Retrieved from http://www.sas.com/company/sasfamily/extras/index.html
- Massage Therapy (n.d.). In SAS Website online. Retrieved from http://www.sas.com/company/sasfamily/extras/onsite-svcs/massage-therapy.html
