ACC's $250 gift to staff

I'm not sure what the fuss is over the ACC's $250 Activa cards each staff member gets. Apparently there are guidelines set by Southern Cross Healthcare as to what they are used for, despite claims that they are used for botox and manicures.

National thinks they are a waste of money - yet it works out about 68c per day per employee, which is the equivalent of the time it takes to go down the lift and light your cigarette for smoko break.

Other employers I have worked for provide free eye tests once a year and $200 towards healthcare costs. When I worked for a certain university newspaper, such benefits were paid for by students.

Of course such "perks" reduce absenteeism. And if you are off work just 10 hours or so fewer due to these benefits, costs are covered.