Google offers employees free electric scooters to get them back to the office

Google is making ready to convey 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 “Trip Scoot,” through which most of Google’s US-based employees can get reimbursed for the complete price of a month-to-month subscription to Unagi’s trendy Mannequin One scooter. The Mannequin One, which retails for $990, is a light-weight dual-motor scooter with a high velocity of 20mph and a variety of 15.5 miles.

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

“They know there’s apprehension amongst staff,” Hyman mentioned. “Folks obtained actually accustomed to working from dwelling. And so they’re simply making an attempt to do every thing they’ll to enhance the expertise of coming again.” (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 dwelling. Google spent billions on increasing its footprint over the course of the pandemic, an indication that it’s bullish about staff finally returning to work. And simply in case it runs into any friction, Google has proven a willingness to spend cash on perks to entice employees again.

Google has landed on free scooters as one doable incentive and has discovered a keen associate in Unagi. Along with elevating over $10 million in enterprise capital funding final 12 months, 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 all Unagi’s Mannequin 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 received’t simply be handing out free scooters to each Google worker, although. Unagi plans on establishing cubicles at numerous Google workplaces to enroll staff for a month-to-month scooter subscription on the discounted charge of $44.10 per 30 days, plus the $50 enrollment charge — the entire of which might be totally reimbursable by Google. Scooter subscriptions may 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 Mannequin One at numerous workplace places.

Workers should additionally use the scooter for at the very least 9 commutes per 30 days to get totally reimbursed for his or her month-to-month subscription. (Google plans on utilizing the honour system and received’t be monitoring staff’ scooter utilization.) Along with Google’s foremost headquarters in Mountain View, different eligible places embrace Seattle, Kirkland, Irvine, Sunnyvale, Playa Vista, Austin, and New York Metropolis.

Hyman mentioned 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 charge. He’s additionally working with plenty of motels and residences to position Unagi’s scooters within the foyer for purchasers.

“What we hope is different firms comply with swimsuit,” Hyman mentioned. “We expect it’s a fantastic workplace perk.”