Far-out Friday: Perks of the job

Some companies take exec perks to an insane level

Employee perks are a great way to show your workers you care, but forget fitness subsidies and extra vacation – these companies have taken tailored benefits to the next level.

Commuting in the clouds
Covering travel expenses is a huge incentive for some employees – especially so for senior executive Barry Diller, of Expedia.

The business magnate racked up a $1.28 million bill in personal flight time – all covered by the company.

Executive dude ranch
Insurance company Fidelity National Financial spent $453,382 entertaining executives at the ‘Rock Creek Cattle Co’ – a 28,000-acre, working Montana ranch.

But this was no dry ranch… Fidelity also coughed up $55,000 at nearby wineries.

Top-notch tax preparation
Accounting support, particularly for busy executives, seems a fair enough perk to put in place – but the benefit ballooned to outrageous proportions at SandRidge Energy.

CEO Sam Ward reported receiving $783,533 worth of accounting support from employees in just one year.

Housing allowance
Almost unheard of for most employees but Bermuda insurers Platinum Underwriters Holdings spent $432,000 on housing for its CEO and a further $800,000 for three other high-ranking team members.