This Is What the Best Companies Do to Keep Their Employees Happy

By Jada A. Graves

Let's say you have a job where you're well-respected for the work you do and where you earn a six-figure paycheck and receive fat bonuses. But ... you're working 70 hours each week in a dank cube farm (would cube farms just die already?) without natural sunlight. Having a request approved to use one of your measly vacation days is met with hoop jumping and a guilt trip. And you don't even have dental insurance. On the bright side, you wouldn't willingly be given the time off to get your teeth cleaned anyway.

Are salary and respectability enough to make the above scenario satisfying? Most people's definition of "a cushy job" involves a high salary, but ultimately other forms of compensation -- such as a flexible schedule, comprehensive health coverage and solid retirement benefits -- might mean more.