'A job perk that's a massive red flag': Soulless company offers a food pantry for workers struggling to make ends meet instead of paying a living wage

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Nov 15, 2024 3:00 PM EST

Sometimes the perks of a job are just another way they're deceiving you. They make it sound appealing in the application and the interview, but then you get there and you realize mandated company bowling outings are more of a nuisance than they are a perk. This is true of a few things workplaces offer to make themselves seem more appealing. It's part of the bait-and-switch culture of the corporate world. They lure you in with ping pong in the break room and then you're slowly driven crazy by the sounds of the paddles all day. 

Most of the time, workers don't care about perks as much as they care about being paid a living wage. You don't need free kombucha on tap when you're paid enough to comfortably afford your own kombucha. But this example of a backhanded company perk wins the award for the slap in the face by an employer. Read on for the details and be thankful you don't work there. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10428035584
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story

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    A job 'perk' thats a massive red flag
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    I started a new job that offers "a pantry service and food assistance for employees who are having trouble making ends meet". That might seem like a nice thing but almost all the staff are full time so clearly people are being underpaid if they're struggling that bad. financially.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    I understand the people have different circumstances but the way that it was pitched really put me off. 'We'll buy you canned beans instant noodles and have the occasional pizza party but we son't pay some full time staff members enough to afford groceries'
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    coolbaby1978 · 9h ago • If your employees need food assistance, you're not paying them a livable wage.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    Abjective-Artist OP 6h ago • And if you're providing that food assistance then instead you should use that money to pay your employees more!
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    MajLeague 51m ago I once worked at a warehouse that had a staff of 11. Two of my coworkers were unhoused. TWO out of eleven!!! I would feel like such a sh if any of my employees were unhoused. How they didn't feel absolute crippling shame for not paying a living wage is beyond me.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    142NonillionKelvins • 9h ago • "Unlimited PTO" - sounds all hunky dory until you realize your manager will limit the sh out of when and how much you can take based on the needs of the business. Then you realize only after taking less than the average amount per year (because no one wants to be "that guy" who is taking advantage of the system) you realize you don't get paid out any accrual when you separate. The true perk is mandatory PTO.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    clubhouse-666 · 8h ago My company touts the Calm app as a perk lol. I try to remember to do my breathing exercises when I'm bashing my head into the wall but sometimes I forget.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    Nightingale_07. 6h ago • I have one! I worked somewhere that said a perk was they help you apply for SNAP/food assistance. They paid me 29k a year for a job that should have been over 50k.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    KayleeSinn 9h ago • Any and all mandatory social events, office perks (like we have pool, gym, beds) and non money rewards, especially discounts are massive nopes to me.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    hallow1... 9h ago • • 9h ago Edited 9h ago . Are you talking about home depot? I ise to work there and they would stock cheap ramen or crackers and ran a "fund" to help sustain it
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    • N3wAfrikanNobody 6h ago • Banked overtime instead of it being paid out. They'll say it can be used for additional PTO but it's an excuse employers use to not have to pay.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    lilylady4789 • 5h ago. Perks that you have to buy but are advertised as benefits on top of the job. Dental, childcare vouchers, IT equipment and the like. Used to hire people and was told that we had to "sell the perks" available. No, it's salary sacrifice, you ain't paying for it, it's optional, and you don't pay enough for most people to pay for them anyway.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    Unfamous-Emu-6282 4h ago. "We offer health insurance". Dangling carrots. They offer only major medical, no comprehensive plans. And they don't reimburse should an employee obtain comprehensive health insurance plan through Taro.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    pleasingchris • 5h ago Perk when I applied was "Enjoy up to 2 hours of break", I should've backed off at that
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    Still_Cantaloupe2141 4h ago . • Gross. The very first sentence of this post is is a de d give away of all anyone needs to know to walk away with "f no". Lol, the red flag here has flashing lights attached to it! Pantry service?! Way for the company to admit outright they don't pay their people enough! I've heard of some bs placating perks, but this takes the whole cake!!!
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    dovasaleh 4h ago There's an office dog at my job. They love to act like she's a boon to the company but all she is is a pit bull with zero training who spends the day yelling at everyone who passes by outside and anyone who refuses to give her a treat. Don't even get me started on all the 'b t scooting on the carpet.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    • persiika 2h ago. We had this program at my job. It was paid by other employees. donating part of their paycheck, so each month, you could give around $10 or so to help pay for canned/long-shelf-life foods. They sacked it because too many people were using it and not enough people were donating. We work for the city. Sigh.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    JustARandomGirl666 · 2h ago A 10$ uber coupon if you do more than 2hours overtime a day. It just show that you are use to people doing a lot of OT and taking off the excuse that they need to go home for dinner.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    SSNs4evr • 3h ago That sounds like the old Walmart "perk" of helping their employees fill out their welfare applications.
    via u/Abjective-Artist
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    Conceited Wombat • 2h ago • A "staff appreciation event" - only it's before the workday, so you're expected to arrive at the event at 7am 3
    via u/Abjective-Artist

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