I’m currently setting up a new office after a lengthy and exhausting move (during which I met my new, somewhat agitated neighbour at 1am, having woken her up whilst dragging a heavy desk off the tray of a hired ute).
As I now face the challenge of creating a work environment in which I will be comfortable and focused, I want to share with you Google’s really cool work environment:
“The culture at Google is very much like the old culture at Microsoft – back when the company felt like most employees were in their mid 20’s. These kids don’t have a life yet so they spend all of their time at work. Google provides nearly everything these people need from clothes (new T-shirts are placed in bins for people to grab twice a week!) to food – three, free, all-you-can-eat meals a day. Plus on-site health care, dental care, laundry service, gym, etc. Imagine going from college to this environment and you can see how much everyone works. People are generally in the building between 10am and about 6pm every day, but nearly everyone is on e-mail 24/7 and most people spend most of their evenings working from home.” [Src: Life at Google]
Sensory deprevation chamber to give Google employees relief from light and sound
Slides and poles (like those in fire stations) allow quick movement from floor to floor
Employees eat all they want. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all free for Google employees.
There are 4-6 ‘Zooglers’ per office. Each has at least two large screens.
Large whiteboards are everywhere incase an idea pops up
Pool tables, video games and the like are available in many areas
Employees can attend to their personal matters in these private cabin areas
At the IT Helpdesk you can grab a drink while you wait
Professional masseurs/masseusses are available (I need one of these!)
Employees can also chill out on one of these massage chairs and watch the aquariums
Lots of books in the library.
So how much would you like to work at Google? 
Thanks to my mum for sending me these pictures.
About James Quinn-Hawtin