Companies love to advertise some “amazing perks” to attract employees, but not all benefits are as great as they seem.
In fact, most of them are downright nonsense. Some are cleverly disguised ways to keep you working longer, make up for a lack of real compensation, or convince you that the job is better than it actually is. If a company is hyping up certain perks a little too much, there’s a good chance they’re not really for your benefit. Here are some of the so-called work perks that don’t actually benefit you in a meaningful way. In fact, they could make your work life worse.
1. Unlimited holiday (that you never actually take)
On the surface, unlimited holiday sounds like a dream — take as much time off as you want! But in reality, these policies often mean employees end up taking less leave than they would with a set holiday allowance. Because there’s no defined amount of leave, many workers feel guilty about requesting time off or worry about seeming uncommitted. Without clear guidelines, employees may hesitate to take breaks, while companies quietly benefit from fewer paid days off being taken.
2. Free meals — so you never leave the office
Getting free food at work sounds like a generous perk, but in many cases, it’s just a way to keep you at your desk for longer. If a company provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s not necessarily because they care about you — it’s because they don’t want you leaving for breaks.
When workplaces provide meals, employees often feel pressured to stay in the office longer, blurring the lines between work and personal time. What looks like a thoughtful perk can quickly turn into an unspoken expectation to be available at all hours.
3. Ping pong tables and “fun” office spaces
Some companies invest in trendy office spaces with games, bean bags, and quirky decor to create a “fun” atmosphere. But at the end of the day, a ping pong table doesn’t make up for low salaries, excessive workloads, or a toxic work culture.
These superficial perks are often used to distract from real issues. If a company is more focused on its “cool” office than on fair wages, career development, or work-life balance, it’s a red flag.
4. Team-building retreats that feel like unpaid work
Weekend getaways, trust-building exercises, and “mandatory fun” events might sound great in theory, but they often mean sacrificing personal time for company interests. If team-building retreats are scheduled on weekends or after work hours, they’re just unpaid extensions of your job.
True perks should benefit employees, not add more obligations. If you have to spend your personal time bonding with colleagues instead of relaxing or seeing family, it’s not a benefit — it’s a work requirement in disguise.
5. Stock options that take years to become valuable
Many companies offer stock options as part of their compensation package, but they often come with long vesting periods or complicated terms that make it difficult to actually benefit. While stock options can be valuable if you stay for years, they’re often dangled as an incentive to keep employees locked in.
If a company is underpaying its workers but promising they’ll be “rich someday” when their shares are worth something, it’s worth questioning whether the stock is truly a benefit — or just a way to justify lower salaries.
6. “Flexible” hours — as long as you’re always available
A lot of jobs advertise flexible working hours, but what they really mean is that you’re expected to be on call at all times. Instead of clocking in and out at set times, employees find themselves answering emails late at night or working unpredictable hours.
True flexibility should give employees control over their schedules, not just make them permanently available. If “flexibility” means constantly checking your phone for work updates, it’s not really a perk; it’s a way to blur the boundaries between work and personal life.
7. “Great company culture” that replaces fair pay
Some companies love to promote their “amazing culture” as a major perk — free coffee, casual dress codes, or a “family-like” atmosphere. But if they use these things as an excuse to underpay employees, it’s not a perk; it’s a distraction.
A good workplace culture is important, but it should never come at the cost of fair salaries, reasonable workloads, or proper benefits. If a company keeps talking about how “fun” it is to work there while ignoring real concerns, that’s a major red flag.
8. Wellness programs that don’t actually reduce stress
Yoga sessions, mindfulness apps, and wellness webinars sound nice, but if a company is truly invested in employee well-being, they’d focus on reducing stress at its source. No amount of meditation can make up for unrealistic deadlines, understaffing, or a toxic work environment.
If a company offers wellness perks but refuses to address burnout, they’re just putting a plaster on a bigger problem. Real well-being comes from fair workloads, supportive management, and respect for work-life balance.
9. Opportunities for growth that never materialise
Many companies lure employees in with the promise of career growth, internal promotions, and skill development. But in reality, these opportunities are often vague and never quite happen.
Employees may be encouraged to “prove themselves” for years before a promotion, only to see management positions given to external hires. If a company keeps promising advancement but never delivers, it’s a tactic to keep employees working harder without offering real progress.
10. A “fast-paced environment,” which really means burnout
When a job listing describes the company as “fast-paced,” it often means long hours, high stress, and constant pressure. While some people thrive in energetic workplaces, others find that it’s just another way of saying, “Expect to be overworked.”
Rather than being a perk, a so-called fast-paced environment often leads to burnout, exhaustion, and a lack of job security. If a company is promoting stress as an exciting opportunity, it’s worth questioning what kind of workplace culture they actually have.
