Cameo offers ten thousand dollar raise to entice employees back to office

Return-to-office mandates. They’re everywhere. Companies like Amazon and JPMorgan are doing it. But how do you make employees want to come back? Cameo, the personalized video message startup, is trying something interesting.

The $10,000 Incentive

Cameo is offering a $10,000 raise. Yes, you read that right. Ten. Thousand. Dollars. This isn’t just a token gesture. It’s for employees who work at their Chicago headquarters. They need to be in the office Monday through Thursday.

But that’s not all. They also get free parking. Free daily catered lunches. And access to an on-site gym. Talk about perks!

The goal? To make the office a perk, not a punishment. That’s according to Cameo CEO Steven Galanis.

Why $10,000?

Galanis said he chose that number for a reason. He wanted it to make a “meaningful” difference in employees’ lives. He also hopes it will help junior employees find housing nearby. No more crazy commutes.

What About Remote Workers?

Cameo has other employees. They’re based elsewhere in the U. S. and abroad. They get to stay remote. But they don’t get the raise.

The Results So Far?

Here’s the surprising part. No one quit. No one moved. Instead, some remote workers want to move to Chicago. They want those sweet, sweet perks.

More Than Just Money?

A recent study showed something interesting. The top motivators for office attendance weren’t free lunches or a raise. It was professional development. And team-building events.

The biggest obstacle? Commuting costs. Maybe Cameo is on to something with that $10,000 and free parking.

Cameo’s Rollercoaster Ride

Cameo has had its ups and downs. The pandemic boosted them to unicorn status. A $1 billion valuation. But then sales declined. Ouch.

Galanis is optimistic, though. He thinks the company is on the upswing.

The Big Question

Will this work? Will the $10,000 raise be enough to entice employees back to the office? It’s a bold move. And it’s one that other companies are watching closely.