It's not just comfort, it's signalling. A company with a laid back culture, open kitchens, free food, a nice expensive architect-designed office is signalling that it is prosperous ("we don't cut costs here, we don't need to"). A company getting less prosperous is also about to get less promotions, less bonuses, and maybe some layoffs.
If you are 10 years old and you see your dad replacing his BMW by a beaten up Toyota, yes, he could just have decided to stop taking on so much credit, but chances are you'll think he's not doing well, even if he reassures you it's for perfectly valid reasons. So you mentally brace for giving up on that new bike you wanted for Christmas.
"They've cut the kitchens."
"Really? We just got an extra Jura coffee machine in every conference room..."
"Interesting, sounds like your cash flow is good at the moment. Are you guys looking?"
And the earlier you leave, the less affected you are - you benefit from the still strong brand, you get decent garden leave, you have little competition on the job openings and your former colleagues will be nice to you in case they need a hand out of the sinking ship later.
If you are 10 years old and you see your dad replacing his BMW by a beaten up Toyota, yes, he could just have decided to stop taking on so much credit, but chances are you'll think he's not doing well, even if he reassures you it's for perfectly valid reasons. So you mentally brace for giving up on that new bike you wanted for Christmas.
"They've cut the kitchens."
"Really? We just got an extra Jura coffee machine in every conference room..."
"Interesting, sounds like your cash flow is good at the moment. Are you guys looking?"
And the earlier you leave, the less affected you are - you benefit from the still strong brand, you get decent garden leave, you have little competition on the job openings and your former colleagues will be nice to you in case they need a hand out of the sinking ship later.