Grab

At Grab, you get to work with the most exciting problems, and some of them, you are hard-pressed to find elsewhere, if at all. You also get to experience first-hand a technology stack that rivals even the best companies out there. I know because, personally, after transitioning out of Grab, I found myself at ease due to familiarity with most of the technology/services that other reputable companies are also using.

You also get to work in a fancy, huge office with a nice view. Most teams here get work-life balance. Most team leads are competent, and people are both smart and friendly. You will be above-average compensated if you work in tech by Singapore standards.

It's a very diverse company, and there is mostly no discrimination based on your gender, age, or race. High management has a focus on being kind and other good values.

Depending on which team you are in, you may also get to travel a lot (during pre-COVID times) since they have many offices around South-East Asia.

Last but not least, at Grab, you will feel that your work is actually making a positive impact, and you can see it with your own eyes and ears every time you walk out the door. There is real job satisfaction here.

Aside from the above-average salary in the region, there aren't many other benefits to speak of. Don't expect free food like at Facebook or Google. Don't expect overtime pay. Don't expect unlimited ice cream.

Do expect to get a mid-range "used" laptop. They use MacBook Pros here for Software Engineers. And, God forbid, if you break it accidentally, you'll have to pay for the repair, unless your department head agrees to absorb it.

Aside from occasional freebies and ice cream, don't expect any regular freebies, except for maybe drinks, etc.

Culture-wise, it's also average. There are no coaches, and I get the sense that the company isn't willing to go the extra mile to invest in your well-being. Although your mileage may vary, the company is generally pretty stingy when it comes to promotions and increments.

Whenever there are questions about benefits during town halls, the company will reiterate how they are already doing above average (which is true) and tell grandfather stories about how early grabbers got much less and worked much more.

In terms of office environment, even though you get to enjoy the view, you get sub-standard desks (no standing desks) and chairs to go along with your old and slow laptop.

I strongly believe that Grab is already doing a lot of things right, and it's running an extremely successful business. However, I do hope that the company is more willing to go the extra mile in terms of employee benefits.

Implement a mentor system, invest more in growing and improving your talents. Improve the culture and don't be afraid to organize more fun events.

Give employees better desks and chairs, and give employees the top-of-the-line fast laptops. These are one-time costs that make people the happiest and actually let people be at their best and most productive.

Don't outright dismiss it every time people ask for something better if they are being reasonable. If people are happy, they tend to do better work.

And finally, please care more about the well-being of your employees. Even if you are not willing to improve the salary, there are many cheaper things to do that actually make people happy, and I have mentioned some of them here.