Not so long ago, working at a tech giant like Google, Meta, or Amazon meant enjoying high pay and impressive perks like free food, casual dress codes, and flexible schedules. These days, though, that appealing image is starting to fade. Most top tech workers now face heavier workloads, fewer benefits, and greater job insecurity. Along with cutting free meals and travel budgets, many tech companies are also saddling employees with the work of their laid-off colleagues, often without extra pay. Some people who lose their jobs get rehired, but usually under short-term contracts with fewer chances for raises or promotions. The tech industry is no longer the comfortable workplace it once seemed, and many employees are feeling the strain.
These changes are part of a larger shift as companies invest heavily in artificial intelligence while cutting back on human-focused programs like free food, wellness benefits, and laundry services. Even though profits remain strong, companies are under pressure to control costs and prioritize long-term technology spending. Managers have raised expectations while shrinking teams at the same time. At Amazon Web Services, for example, workers are reporting stricter oversight and the use of tracking software. Returning to the office has also become mandatory for many employees who were once promised remote work. Together, these changes show that companies are shifting their priorities away from employee satisfaction and toward operational efficiency.
Despite these challenges, tech jobs still pay better than most industries. But workers without specialized AI skills are finding it harder to move between companies or negotiate better salaries. Perks that once set tech apart—like team retreats and generous parental leave—are disappearing. Companies are focusing less on creating a fun, flexible environment and more on cutting costs and boosting productivity. For many employees, the workplace no longer feels innovative or exciting. It feels like any other corporate job, with all the pressures and fewer of the rewards. As one Google contractor put it: “These jobs are becoming like everywhere else.”
Questions:
- Why are tech companies starting to cut back on employee perks like free meals and wellness benefits?
- Do you think cutting benefits will prevent tech companies from attracting top talent? Why or why not?
Source: Katherine Bindley, “Tech Workers Are Just Like the Rest of Us: Miserable at Work,” The Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2025.