11 Atlanta companies with cool, rare perks

Prlya Pemmasani uses a treadmill desk next to an IT vending machine at Salesforce's Atlanta office. Salesforce was named the top large workplace in the 2016 Atlanta Top Workplaces project by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Phil Skinner for the AJC)

Who doesn't like freebies, especially on the job? No, not paper towels, pens and paper.

We're talking real cha-ching. From earning college coursework credit to discounted cars, these Atlanta companies appreciate their employees so much they're willing to give exclusive, in-house service perks to help team members save money and develop personally and professionally.

Check out these cool, rare extras employees have the great fortune of enjoying at the following top Atlanta companies:

Aldi

This privately held, Germany-based grocery store chain is booming across the nation, operating more than 1,600 U.S. stores in 35 states. Working for this now trending brand affords a notable perk worth mentioning: its "Employee Referral Program." A sweet employee deal once you're in the door, this program requires one simple request from you to earn $2,000. You ready? Just refer the company's next amazing employee to this thriving, global grocer, and that's instant cash in your pocket.

Named one of Fortune's 2018 "100 Best Companies To Work For," CarMax not only cares for its customers and community, but it also gives a huge shoutout to its employees advancing their education. It provides tuition assistance with an eligible reimbursement of up to $5,250 for full-time associates. CarMax's tuition assistance goes toward degree-seeking courses at accredited colleges and universities. Additionally, CarMax puts health at its forefront. The company offers specials rates for its Weight Watchers, Beginning Right Maternity and Tobacco Cessation programs.

Gas South LLC

Gas South is dubbed the Southeast's leading natural gas provider. Its more than 300,000 residential, governmental and business customers span from Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas. Within the company, it values employees' time both on and off the clock. Gas South has a program called "Fuel for Good" that gives its employees flexible schedules to accommodate volunteer opportunities on behalf of the company. Whether during business or non-business hours, Gas South offers up to eight hours paid time per fiscal year for volunteering at its sponsored events.

Workers at the General Motors assembly plant in Doraville inspect automobiles on the line. The plant, which employs about 1,200 workers, makes the crossover sport vans Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana SV6, Chevy Uplander and Saturn Relay. The plant will close Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, as part of a companywide downsizing by the automotive giant, sparked by sluggish sales and heated foreign competition.

Credit: Elissa Eubanks / eeubanks@ajc.com

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Credit: Elissa Eubanks / eeubanks@ajc.com

General Motors LLC

This international automotive producer and seller has been in the business for more than 100 years. A significant contributor to General Motors' sustainability within the automotive industry has been consistently putting its GM family first. Through the "GM Employee Discount," employees and eligible family members can ride in modern style by leasing or purchasing brand new GMCs, Buicks, Cadillacs or Chevrolets at a special discounted price below manufacturers' suggested retail prices.

Intercontinental Hotels Group

As one of the world's leading hotel companies, Intercontinental Hotels Group delivers top-notch hospitality experiences with the help of more than 350,000 employees working across nearly 100 countries. If you're a full-time or permanent part-time employee, you're eligible for its "Employee Room Benefit Program," which means you can stay at one of its hotels at employee rates. Employees can reserve up to two rooms. And let's say you're feelin' fancy: A $250-or-more room will only run you $99 as an employee. You can't beat that.

Mercedes-Benz USA LLC

This luxury automobile brand is known for designing lavish, intelligent vehicles that continue to stand the test of driving time. However, Mercedes-Benz grants its employees grassroots opportunities to become influential, change agents beyond its automotive achievements. The company's workplace environment is one of diverse, inclusive team members who actually practice what they preach. In addition to providing performance-based merit increases and bonus payments, Mercedes-Benz partners with organizations like Historically Black Colleges and Universities and nonprofits such as 21st Century Leaders and Women in Technology to develop the next generation of innovative leaders. Mercedes-Benz employees can contribute to these meaningful community causes, too.

Piedmont Healthcare

Piedmont pioneers patient care. It includes 11 hospitals, nearly 660 locations and more than 22,000 employees. Working for Piedmont means constantly helping to heal others and treating them well. The nonprofit community health system reciprocates this notion with its employees, offering cost-saving perks, including dollars employees can use to pay medical bills on their health plan, subsidized back-up childcare and fitness center memberships, and discounted MARTA passes. Piedmont has offered domestic partner benefits for the past 15 years and now offers maternity disability (ensuring 100 percent pay during maternity leave for mothers who return to work) and also offers membership in a credit union with 5,600 locations. Also, earn a little extra cash by helping to recruit the best health care candidates. It's "Recruitment Bonus Program," depending on the circumstances, can pay as much as five figures.

Racetrac employee Jeanique Chestnut stocks the hot food bar at a Smyrna store.  Convenience store chains, including Atlanta-base RaceTrac, are using an expanded menu of food to lure customers filling up with gas to come inside.

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RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.

The chain of gasoline service stations operates more than 600 company-owned and third-party operated stores under RaceWay and RaceTrac in 12 Southern states. To keep customers recharged and refueled, the brand's locations are always stocked with more than 4,000 items. One item employees have nonstop access to is free drinks. That's right −store team members can grab a drink during their shift on the company. Employees are encouraged to take their customer service skills to the next level through RaceTrac's scholarship program, too. In-store team members are eligible to compete twice a year for scholarships that go toward continued education.

Rollins Inc.

Rollins' outstanding consumer and commercial pest control services has earned it global positioning and prominence. With brands like Orkin and AllPest, Rollins caters to more than 2 million customers in more than 700 locations. These numbers come from devoted employees who have helped build the business. As an added thank you, Rollins offers a "PerkSpot Online Discount Mall." This discount program gives employees access to exclusive offers and prices from hundreds of local to national merchants. This free service saves you up to 40 percent on offers that interest you, including cellphone providers, health clubs, restaurants and movie theaters.

A hallway at Salesforce's Atlanta office is lined with local street signs as part of the fun atmosphere. It was voted the No 1 topworkplace for large companies. (Photo by Phil Skinner)

Credit: Phil Skinner, for the AJC

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Credit: Phil Skinner, for the AJC

Salesforce

Designated the world's No. 1 customer relationship management platform, Salesforce provides cloud-based apps to handle marketing, service, sales and more. As a team member of this trailblazing company, you're helping 150,000-plus companies run their business smarter. You're also part of a culture that's openly committed to pay equality.

Yep! You make what he or she makes for equal experience and work — fair and square. Your workspace is a fun and functional reward, too. You can either work at your own sit-stand desk or at a treadmill-designed desk to shed pounds while producing company results. And guess what? Meditation rooms, yoga classes and ping pong/pool tables are a few feet away.

YKK AP America Inc.

YKK AP America is a leading national architectural products manufacturer of commercial façade systems and residential windows and doors. The company is a subsidiary of YKK Corp. of America — a global zipper producer in a billion-dollar business. A major benefit of working for YKK breaks all the way down to your children. Not only does YKK provide education assistance for employees, but also scholarships for children who have a genius eye for design. Your high school architect can earn anywhere from $500 to $2,000 at sponsored competitions dedicated to students who can imagine and build innovative structures.