Paying high wages to knowledge workers causes them in general to be less productive. The top 1% might rather go for the money anyway. But the top 1% also care about working conditions (more screen space, faster computers, fewer interruptions, etc). Perhaps more than money, after they're being paid enough not to have to worry about money.
I think older workers are less likely to be fooled by "cool toys", but all geeks want a system that they can be productive on.
As a Python programmer, I care more about hard drive speed and a nice monitor, but if I had to compile C++ I would kill for a faster CPU, and more RAM.
Some things boost moral and make workers more productive, so the employer benefits twice.
On the flip side, I find that my productivity drops to zero below a certain level of compensation, at least when I'm working on other people's projects for money.
Paying high wages to knowledge workers causes them in general to be less productive. The top 1% might rather go for the money anyway. But the top 1% also care about working conditions (more screen space, faster computers, fewer interruptions, etc). Perhaps more than money, after they're being paid enough not to have to worry about money.