Orgies to nude parties: Perks that make Apple, Facebook's egg freezing look normal

In a bid to diversify their male-dominated ranks to include and appeal to more women, Facebook and Apple will now give up to $20,000 in benefits to help employees pay for infertility treatments, sperm donors and even to freeze their eggs. Facebook this year started offering to reimburse workers for up to $20,000 worth of reproductive-related costs, over the course of employment. Apple will start similar perks next year. The companies’ egg-freezing benefits were first reported by NBCNews.com on Tuesday. Freezing eggs involves removing a woman’s eggs and cooling them to subzero temperatures to preserve them for future use and stop the egg from changing and developing. Freezing their eggs gives women an option to focus on their career or education first, the “leaning in” that Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg champions. But the procedure can cost upward of $10,000, plus storage costs of several hundred dollars a year. Later it costs another several thousand to thaw and fertilize the eggs and implant them in the womb. Facebook’s initiative has been hailed by many, but this is not even remotely the most unusual perk in Silicon Valley. Here’s a list of some of the most bizarre perks. 1. Pack your bags, go to Las Vegas! Freeborn and Peters is a law firm that knows how to get employees out of the office and party! Each year the company holds a “luggage party.” All the employees are eligible, and to be part of it, they have to bring to their packed bag into the office on the day of the party. There’s a lucky draw, four names are drawn, and the winners are whisked away by limo to the airport for an all-expenses paid weekend trip to Las Vegas. [caption id=“attachment_1759589” align=“alignnone” width=“620”]  Pack your bags! Reuters[/caption] 2. Free helicopter ride Security camera company Dropcam offers every employee a voucher for a free helicopter ride with friends. What’s better? The chopper is flown by Greg Duffy, Dropcam’s CEO. [caption id=“attachment_1759591” align=“alignnone” width=“620”]  Pilot: CEO of the company. Reuters[/caption] 3. An orgy to ‘reward’ its salesmen A German insurance company decided to reward the success of its sales staff in a rather unusual way – by organising an orgy. While most organizations might show their appreciation for their employees with a free night out or a generous bonus package, insurance giant Munich Re decided that a night of sex was the best way to keep staff motivated. What a way to motivate! [caption id=“attachment_1759597” align=“alignnone” width=“620”]  We bet you’re jealous. Reuters[/caption] 4. Party–without clothes! David Taylor, a business psychologist, told workers at design and marketing firm onebestway, in Newcastle upon Tyne, that a Naked Friday idea would boost their team spirit. Taylor told the staff members that by stripping off their clothes, staff could also strip away inhibitions and talk to each other more openly and honestly. [caption id=“attachment_1759621” align=“alignnone” width=“620”]  Party without clothes! Reuters[/caption] 5. Bring your cats and dogs along One of Airbnb’s perks is that employees get to bring their pets to work every day, they go sailing together, have a ping pong table, have weekly Yoga classes at work, and get to eat organic lunches on a daily basis. Another organisation, The Nerdery, organises Puppy Fight Club, where the nerds’ fluffy friends can frolic unleashed every Thursday. [caption id=“attachment_1759627” align=“alignnone” width=“620”]  Bring your cats and dogs along. Reuters[/caption]