Google is luring workers back to the office with an incredible perk
New Ride Scoot program with Unagi will see Googlers return to the office in style
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The days ofworking from homewill soon come to an end forGoogleemployees in the Bay Area and several other US locations but the company hopes to entice them to return to the office with a brand new perk.
Beginning this month, the search giant will officially move to ahybrid workmodel where employees will be expected to be in the office at least three days every week.
As part of its efforts to get employees back to the office,Googlehas partnered with theelectric scootermaker Unagi to launch a new program called “Ride Scoot” according to a report fromThe Verge. The new program will make it possible for the majority of the company’s US-based workers to get reimbursed for a monthly subscription to Unagi’sModel Onescooter which retails for $990 and has a top speed of 20mph and a range of 15.5 miles.
Founder and CEO of Unagi, David Hyman provided further insight on Google’s intentions behind its new Ride Scoot program in a statement toThe Verge, saying:
“They know there’s apprehension amongst employees. People got really accustomed to working from home. And they’re just trying to do everything they can to improve the experience of coming back.”
Reimbursed scooter subscriptions
During the course of the pandemic, Googlespent billions on expanding its officeswith the hope that employees would eventually return to work once the virus subsided.
As one possible incentive to encourage its workers to transition from working from home to a hybrid work model, the company came up with the idea of providing them with free scooters.
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In addition to selling its e-scooters outright, Unagi also launched a subscription model in which customers in select cities in the US can get its Model One scooter delivered to their door for just $49 a month. While there’s also a $50 sign-up fee, the subscription includes both maintenance costs and theft insurance.
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As part of Google’s Ride Scoot program, Unagi plans to set up booths at the company’s offices where employees can sign up for a discounted monthly scooter subscription. However, the entire subscription cost will be fully reimbursed by Google and scooters will be added as a transportation option in the company’s internal employee portal.
To be eligible for reimbursement though, Googlers must use their Unagi Model One scooter for at least nine commutes each month. Alongside its Mountain View headquarters, other eligible locations include the search giant’s offices in Seattle, Kirkland, Sunnyvale, Playa Vista, Austin and New York City.
Google isn’t the only company that Unagi is working with though as it also has made deals withSalesforceand other large firms about adding its scooters as a transportation perk for their employees.
ViaThe Verge
After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
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