Rilla Offers $1,500 Rent Stipend for 70-Hour Work Weeks

Rilla, an AI startup, has introduced an unusual benefit for its employees: a rent stipend of up to $1,500 a month to live closer to the office. However, there are conditions attached to this perk. Employees must reside within a 10 to 15-minute commute of the company’s Long Island City-based office and are expected to work around 70 hours a week in person. Sebastian Jimenez, Rilla’s CEO and co-founder, explains that this stipend is designed to minimize commuting time, allowing employees to dedicate more hours to their work.

Jimenez, who lives within a five-minute walk to the office, emphasizes that maximizing productive time is a core principle at Rilla. He believes that reducing commuting time can significantly increase the hours employees can spend working. So far, about a dozen out of the roughly 80 employees have taken advantage of the rent offer, which is particularly appealing given the high cost of living in New York City.

The rent benefit is part of Rilla’s intense work culture, which includes a “996” calendar—employees are expected to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. The company also frequently holds off-site events on Sundays. Jimenez advocates for a full night’s rest and encourages employees to take care of their health, but he firmly believes that success comes from putting in the most hours possible.

In addition to the rent stipend, Rilla offers other perks such as covering at least two meals a day, gym memberships, and generally high compensation for various roles. For instance, a product designer role has a salary range of $110,000 to $230,000 per year, while a software engineer can make $200,000 – $300,000. Sales roles have an annual salary average of around $350,000.

Rilla’s approach to work hours is part of a broader trend where companies are increasingly asking for more productivity from their employees in a cost-cutting environment. Google’s co-founder recently suggested that 60-hour work weeks are the “sweet spot” for productivity, and a report from Microsoft found that the average workday is stretching later, with meetings after 8 p.m. rising and a significant number of workers checking their inboxes after 10 p.m.

Rilla is transparent about its expectations. Job postings on the company’s website clearly state that candidates should not apply if they are not excited about working 70 hours per week in person with ambitious colleagues. The company also provides a “culture deck” that outlines these expectations for all potential employees to read before accepting a position.

Jimenez acknowledges that this work schedule may not be suitable for everyone and that it is tailored to the specific needs and culture of Rilla. He notes that most of the people he hires are either startup founders themselves or D1 athletes fresh out of college, individuals who are accustomed to working long hours and always want to be busy.

Jimenez does not necessarily recommend this approach for all startups, stating that it is simply the way Rilla operates. The company’s unique benefits and intense work culture are designed to maximize productivity and align with the principles of its leadership.