This year mark’s Twitter’s first appearance on Fortune’s Best Companies to Work for list. The social media company, which comes in at No. 24, employs about 3,600 workers, the majority of which are based out of its Bay Area headquarters. Like many of the region’s tech players, Twitter offers employees scores of benefits, from unlimited vacation days to free (and healthy) food. But it’s also got its own flavor of perks: Helping others. According to CEO Dick Costolo, employees come to Twitter primarily because they want to make a difference in the world. Lucky (or unlucky) for them, they’ve got plenty of opportunities to make a difference in their own backyard (in addition to working with local non-profits, the company will soon open a learning center that offers free computer courses in the community). Of course, visits from a steady stream of celebrities and a rooftop deck with killer views also helps attract and retain employees. Here are some of Twitter’s top perks.
Fitter Twitter
If you've ever wanted to sweat alongside your CEO, here's your chance. Chief executive Costolo regularly participates in the free, grueling CrossFit classes offered at the company's second-floor gym. (Yoga and massages are also available nearby.)
#FridayForGood
Twice a year, Twitter organizes a global day of service. Employees can pick from a number of projects organized by local non-profits, from serving lunches at homeless shelters to setting up Internet connectivity in the neighborhood to tutoring elementary students from lower-income schools.
Wine, beer and Kombucha on tap
The Lodge, a communal area where two real log cabins are used for meetings and social events, includes a coffee bar that also serves wine, beer and—yes, fermented tea—on tap.
Rooftop deck
The crown jewel of Twitter's San Francisco headquarters is a 16,500 rooftop deck with expansive views of the city. Employees use the space to socialize, relax and (sometimes) work.
A-listers
Hard Choices and answer questions from employees.Photograph by Rob Nikzad for Twitter, Inc.
From Lena Dunham to Hillary Clinton, celebrities and world leaders have flocked to Twitter's headquarters seeking advice on how to better connect with their followers and manage their social media messaging. Many of them take time to speak to employees and answer questions, an added perk for Twitter's workers.