Top performing companies and massage therapy
Abe Alpert | July 28, 2009Successful companies like Google don’t get that way by accident. Even in these difficult times, the company thrives. Why? They think outside of the box. They throw most conventional thinking out the window. They always ask how they can improve what they are doing. Of course, unlike most companies, their employees are highly motivated and very creative. Fortune magazine ranked them as the number 1 company to work for. It was no surprise to hear that all their employees can receive massage as a job benefit, right at their facilities.
Google’s Massage therapists are treated with the kind of respect not often afforded in the “real” world, working no more than 12 hours a week. Contrast that with Massage Envy’s sweatshop- like conditions and meager wages that take advantage of under-trained and undereducated recent “graduates”. I bring this up because Massage Envy does a lot of the “massage” business but they don’t really provide much steak, just the sizzle. So, it is not really massage you receive and, therefore, it is more a luxury then a real benefit to your health. Don’t take my word for it…….here is what others think! The Massage Envy ? or this spa site.
At Google, the therapists are well trained and represent what massage is really all about. Does the company you work for provide massage for employees? No? Well maybe they ought to think about it, think outside the box!
Regarding your "sweatshop" comment, you might want to ask the
K | August 3, 2009Regarding your “sweatshop” comment, you might want to ask the Google massage therapists how many hours per week they work outside of Google. I find it hard to believe that Google is supplementing their 12 hour per week income so sufficiently that they do not have to work elsewhere. We have a massage therapist who works at our office 8 hours per week, however, she also works out of a chiropractor’s office, and has her own business doing outcalls at private residences. Working at more than one place is a common practice among therapists.
As for Massage Envy not providing “real massages”, I beg to differ. I have been getting regular massages for the last 18 years at gyms, physical therapy offices, spas, resorts, and at Massage Envy (monthly for the past 3 years). I have had more mediocre massages at all of the other locales than I ever have had at Massage Envy. Not all therapists fit all personality types, and sometimes it takes a little searching to find the one that works best for you.
In regards to your “under-trained, under educated” comment, Massage Envy requires all of their massage therapists to be licensed where they practice and to have a minimum of 500 hours of education. If the state requires more than that, this overrides ME’s requirement. Some states do not require any licensing. The Massage Envy minimum requirements still hold in this case.
I assure you, there is plenty of good “steak” at Massage Envy.
Working for Google sounds like a dream job to me.
HeaNut | April 5, 2010Working for Google sounds like a dream job to me. From what I’ve seen they also have lounges, games, scooters for getting around and generally have a very fun work life balance. Not sure how many hours they expect from their employees, but no doubt with all the perks they’re happy to do extra when required.
We had some massages supplied at work as a kind of bonus but it was short lived, though well enjoyed.