Google provides staff free electrical scooters to get them again to the workplace

Google is making ready to deliver its staff again to the workplace this week, and as an added bonus, it’ll offer them free electrical scooters to assist ease the transition.

The tech big is teaming up with e-scooter maker Unagi to launch a brand new program known as “Ride Scoot,” through which most of Google’s US-based staff can get reimbursed for the complete value of a month-to-month subscription to Unagi’s trendy Model One scooter. The Model One, which retails for $990, is a light-weight dual-motor scooter with a prime velocity of 20mph and a variety of 15.5 miles.

Unagi founder and CEO David Hyman stated the concept was to assist Google staff get to work — and even simply to the closest bus cease. (Google famously offers free shuttle bus service to its staff in Silicon Valley.)

“They know there’s apprehension amongst employees,” Hyman stated. “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.” (A spokesperson for Google didn’t reply to a request for remark.)

Two years after the pandemic upended work patterns, employers are doubling down on workplace actual property, bringing them into battle with a workforce that has grown accustomed to working at house. Google spent billions on increasing its footprint over the course of the pandemic, an indication that it’s bullish about staff ultimately returning to work. And simply in case it runs into any friction, Google has proven a willingness to spend cash on perks to entice staff again.

Google has landed on free scooters as one doable incentive and has discovered a prepared companion in Unagi. In addition to elevating over $10 million in enterprise capital funding final yr, the Oakland-based firm additionally launched a subscription as a substitute for possession. For $49 a month, prospects in choose cities can get one in every of Unagi’s Model One delivered to their entrance door. There’s additionally a $50 sign-up charge, however upkeep and insurance coverage from scooter theft or injury are included within the month-to-month charge.

Unagi gained’t simply be handing out free scooters to each Google worker, although. Unagi plans on establishing cubicles at varied Google places of work to enroll staff for a month-to-month scooter subscription on the discounted price of $44.10 monthly, plus the $50 enrollment charge — the full of which might be totally reimbursable by Google. Scooter subscriptions can even be added as a transportation choice to Google’s inside worker portal. And Google and Unagi will host demo days for workers to check out the Model One at varied workplace areas.

Employees should additionally use the scooter for a minimum of 9 commutes monthly to get totally reimbursed for his or her month-to-month subscription. (Google plans on utilizing the consideration system and gained’t be monitoring staff’ scooter utilization.) In addition to Google’s important headquarters in Mountain View, different eligible areas embody Seattle, Kirkland, Irvine, Sunnyvale, Playa Vista, Austin, and New York City.

Hyman stated that Unagi has made offers with different massive employers, together with Salesforce, so as to add electrical scooters as a doable transportation perk for workers, both as a reimbursement or at a reduced price. He can be working with a lot of accommodations and residences to position Unagi’s scooters within the foyer for patrons.

“What we hope is other companies follow suit,” Hyman stated. “We think it’s a great office perk.”