We all love a good job perk. Because let’s be honest, nothing makes the daily grind of working life quite as palatable as the promise of slightly subsidized gym memberships, free coffee on Fridays, and the occasional pizza party when management remembers that morale is important.
But, as with all things in life, there are those who take it a little too far. People who see a perk not as a nice-to-have, but as a challenge—a gauntlet thrown down by the corporate gods, daring them to push the boundaries of what's socially acceptable in a workplace setting.
So, without further ado, here are the weirdest times employees took job perks to the extreme.
The Never-Ending Free Lunch
First up, we have the office free-for-all. Many companies like to provide snacks or light lunches as a perk. You know, an apple here, a banana there.
But in one case, a particular employee took to the concept of "free lunch"with the enthusiasm of a Labrador spotting an untended picnic.
Every day, they arrived with a bag big enough to pack for a fortnight in the Alps and proceeded to stock up as if they were preparing for a zombie apocalypse.
By the end of the week, it looked as if they'd single-handedly wiped out the break room supplies. It got so bad that colleagues started writing their names on sandwiches just to keep their midday meal safe.
The Gym Membership Marathon
Then there's the wonderful perk of a company gym membership. A delightful invitation to get fit on the company dime. But for one zealous employee, this freebie wasn’t just a perk; it was an all-consuming obsession.
They practically moved into the gym, spending so much time there that colleagues began to suspect they were secretly training for the Olympics or planning to open a side hustle as a personal trainer.
The fitness fad reached its peak when the employee started showing up to meetings in full gym gear, dripping with sweat, and insisting everyone join them for impromptu post-meeting "burpee challenges."Enthusiasm is great, but it’s best not to leave your professionalism in the locker room.
The Coffee Catastrophe
Ah, coffee—the lifeblood of many a weary employee. Offering free coffee is a common perk, but one caffeine-addicted worker saw this as an opportunity to embark on a quest to consume as much java as humanly possible.
It wasn't long before they were spotted walking around with a personal coffee pot, topped up to the brim, like a medieval knight carrying a flagon of ale. Their desk bore the scars of spilled caffeine battles, and the mere whiff of decaf sent them into a rage-worthy of an ancient Roman gladiator denied his last meal.
The situation grew so dire that the office supply of coffee ran dry every other day, forcing HR to step in with rations—like some bizarre, bean-based wartime effort.
The WFH Wonderland
Work-from-home days are a cherished modern perk, offering the freedom to work in your pajamas and attend meetings from the comfort of your bed. But for one employee, the line between work and home life blurred beyond all recognition.
Their home soon transformed into a surreal office wonderland, complete with seven monitors, three ergonomic chairs, and a mini-fridge stocked with every conceivable snack.
They even organized virtual office tours, showcasing their elaborate setup as if it were the Sistine Chapel of productivity—a far cry from the original intent of a little flexibility and comfort.
The Conference Call Conundrum
Every now and then, a company might offer the perk of attending prestigious conferences. The idea is to learn, network, and bring back fresh insights to enrich the workplace. But for one opportunistic employee, this perk was more about the "trip"than the "conference."
They began attending every conference on offer, regardless of whether it was remotely related to their role. Marketing conference? Sure, why not. Developer summit? They were first in line. The highlight was when they signed up for a cheese-making workshop under the guise of a management skills retreat.
At least they returned with a newfound appreciation for Brie, even if the relevance to their role remained as mysterious as the cheese-making process itself.
Need to Hire People Who Appreciate Perks Without Going Overboard?
If the idea of someone relocating to the office gym (or indeed, redefining the meaning of ‘free lunch’) sends a shiver down your spine, it might be time to consider a different approach to hiring.
At Coburg Banks, we specialize in helping businesses find candidates who know how to enjoy the perks without losing sight of their professional responsibilities.
So, if you need to recruit without the risk of someone transforming your office into a personal wonderland, get in touch.
We promise our approach is as balanced as a perfectly brewed cup of coffee—and much less likely to lead to chaos.
