Renowned venture capitalist and entrepreneur Peter Thiel has an innovative strategy for keeping his employees within arm’s reach, according to a former employee. Michael Gibson, who served under Thiel for five years, revealed in his book “Paper Belt on Fire: The Fight for Progress in an Age of Ashes” that Thiel offered a $1,000 monthly bonus to employees living near the office.
Situated about 400 yards from the office in San Francisco, Thiel, it seems, valued the idea of local living for his workforce. This unique incentive was not just a rent subsidy but a strategic move to keep his employees available for late-night brainstorming sessions or unexpected weekend meetings. According to Gibson, “Employees were granted an extra $1,000 per month in rent if they lived within a half-mile radius of the office.”
This proximity principle wasn’t just about work, though. Gibson mentioned how it fostered a sense of camaraderie among the staff, who would often gather at nearby spots after work to unwind, share work anecdotes, and have a few laughs. He commends this strategy, saying, “As far as employee benefits go, I always thought this was a wise one.”
Thiel’s close-proximity incentive aligns with similar programs at Palantir Technologies, the software company Thiel co-founded, and SalesforceIQ, a Salesforce subsidiary. Even Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has been generous in its relocation benefits, offering staff at least $10,000 if they lived within 10 miles of the headquarters in Menlo Park, Silicon Valley, and an additional $15,000 for employees with families.
In the post-pandemic world, some companies are reviving such relocation schemes to encourage their workforce to return to the office. Law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell, for example, has indicated that employees’ bonuses could be impacted if they don’t commit to being in the office at least three days a week.
According to ZipRecruiter, job listings mentioning relocation assistance have almost doubled from 2 million in 2020 to 3.8 million recently. ARC Relocation, a company specializing in employee relocation, has reported a significant uptick in business as more companies start enforcing return-to-office policies.
Thiel’s unique approach to encouraging employees to live closer to work is yet another testament to his innovative thinking and his willingness to invest in making his ventures successful. As businesses continue to navigate the changing landscape of work culture, it will be interesting to see how such practices influence the future of employee benefits and retention strategies.