Tech Giant Oracle sees value in Hacienda amenities, sustainability programs

Hacienda amenities help Oracle retain top talent

For busy Americans, a quick lunch often means wolfing down a soggy sandwich, wrapped in disposable plastic, at a lonely cubicle.

Well, employees at tech giant Oracle enjoy a more fulfilling experience with heavily subsidized, organic, farm to fork, and gluten-free options at the on-campus Oracle cafe.

That is just the beginning. Oracle's commitment to its employees - and the environment - fits in well at Hacienda, which, since its inception, has been a leader in the movement to integrate work and life in one sustainable location.

Hacienda is a lively mix of restaurants, retail, housing and office space in Pleasanton, California. It is ideally situated near BART and major freeways, with easy access to the rest of the Bay Area and local communities. The mix of amenities available at Hacienda creates a rich environment uniquely suited for working and living.

Competition for talent is fierce in the bay area and environment weights in heavy when attracting prospective employees. "Our Hacienda location gives us a great leg up on aquiring and retaining top talent." says Tim Roche, Senior Manager, Facilities, Oracle.

Oracle is a global technology company that offers software, and computer hardware and products. One of the world's biggest public companies, in 2015 it was #17 on Forbes "World's Most Valuable Brands."

The company has maintained office space in Hacienda for 15 years. Their 20 acre campus includes two 5-story office buildings, totaling nearly 400,000 square feet, and a 350,000-square-foot parking garage. Future development plans for Oracle include a third office building.

"It's a convenient location in the Bay Area that's easily accessible for our employees," Roche said. "and there's a wealth of educated workforce in the surrounding area. Those are two key points."

Oracle actively promotes a robust employee services program which includes promotion of Hacienda amenities like discount entertainment tickets, ECOpass, which entitles Hacienda residents and employees to free rides on the local Wheels bus, and City CarShare, which provides Hacienda residents and employees electric vehicles at a discount rate. The service is available for carpool, vanpool, and public transportation commutes who need to a vehicle to travel short distances.

Oracle's cafe offers more than a reasonably priced meal. The eatery features delicious classic American food with an international flair. Meals ordered "to go" are packaged with compostable food containers, straws, and cutlery in an effort to reduce landfill waste and support corporate sustainability initiatives.

Waste goes directly into the green bin, part of a commercial composting pilot program that is the first of its kind in Pleasanton.

Thanks to the innovative program initiated by Roche, the Hacienda location now diverts over 90 percent of its waste from landfills. Launched on Earth Day, April 22, 2014, the pilot program took more than a year of negotiation with the City of Pleasanton's garbage contractor.

Hacienda was a key advocate and helped bring the program to fruition, Roche said.