DuckDuckGo

Wellness Programs

Every team member can claim a taxable wellness reimbursement of up to $1,000 USD per year.

Employee Assistance Program

Confidential counseling services are available to team members through Workplace Options.

Health Insurance

For US-based team members, medical coverage comes through Independence Blue Cross, with the HDHP plan 100% company paid and the two PPO plans 81% and 77% company paid. Team members in other countries, such as Canada and the UK, are not eligible for company-sponsored health benefits.

Dental Insurance

US-based team members receive Cigna dental coverage that is 50% company paid; it is not offered in other countries.

Vision Insurance

US-based team members receive Cigna vision coverage that is 50% company paid; it is not offered in other countries.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

US-based team members can use both a Health FSA and a Dependent Care FSA, administered through Navia.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

US-based team members on the high-deductible plan can open a health savings account through Navia.

401(k) / Retirement Plan

In the US, team members can save through a 401(k) with Vanguard, with no company match. UK team members are auto-enrolled in a Scottish Widows pension with a 3% company contribution.

Stock Options

DuckDuckGo job postings pair each salary with stock options.

Pay Transparency

Every DuckDuckGo job posting states a set salary, and compensation is shared before the first interview. Everyone within the same professional level and global region earns the same pay, regardless of race, gender, or age.

Unlimited PTO

DuckDuckGo's Flexible Time Off policy trusts team members to use good judgment and take time off as needed.

Medical Leave

Team members can take up to 8 weeks of short-term medical leave, separate from flexible time off.

Flexible Hours

There are no core hours, so team members work when they are most productive, with an expected average of 40 hours a week. Most collaboration happens asynchronously, and required meetings are scheduled so people across time zones can attend comfortably.

Meeting-Free Days

DuckDuckGo keeps standing meetings off Wednesdays and Thursdays every week to preserve time for deep work.

Coworking Allowance

Team members who prefer to work from a coworking space are reimbursed up to $500 USD per month.

Home Office Stipend

DuckDuckGo reimburses up to $1,250 USD for home office setup, a new computer every 3 years, and up to $500 USD of a phone every 2 years.

Internet Stipend

Team members receive a $100 monthly work-from-home allowance that covers home internet as well as office supplies.

Company Offsites / Retreats

Team members travel at least twice a year, once for the all-hands Annual Meetup and once for a team retreat, each around 4-5 days. Smaller team meetups and optional work-ations with colleagues happen alongside them.

Work From Anywhere

DuckDuckGo invites people to join its fully distributed team from anywhere.

Parental Leave

New parents with at least one year at DuckDuckGo receive up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave (4 weeks within their first 6 months, 8 weeks at 6-12 months), plus 8 additional unpaid weeks. Birthing parents can combine it with medical leave for up to 24 weeks.

Caregiver Policy

Team members caring for a family member can take up to 4 weeks of paid caregiver leave, with additional unpaid leave available beyond that.

Learning & Development Budget

Each team member has a learning stipend of up to $1,250 USD per year for courses and books.

Conference Attendance

The annual learning stipend can be spent on attending conferences, including the associated travel.

Charity Matching

DuckDuckGo matches team members' qualified charitable donations up to $1,000 per year.

Entrepreneurship Encouraged

Several times a year, DuckDuckGo holds 3-day Hack Days, running Wednesday to Friday, when team members set regular work aside to work on anything they want that relates to DuckDuckGo.

Paid Trial

Candidates complete two paid test projects during hiring (up to three for higher-level roles), each paid as a one-time flat fee, and there is no live coding.