If there’s anything we’ve learned over the last few years of working through a pandemic, it’s that burnout is real. And today’s workforce—everyone from working parents to recent college grads—wants, and deserves, more than just basic healthcare from their companies, including access to therapists, annual wellness stipends, and extra days off to recharge. The businesses below are ahead of the curve, already delivering world-class health and wellness benefits that are improving the quality of their employees’ lives.
Health and wellness is just one of the seven perk and benefits categories we highlight in the 2022 VIBE Awards. “VIBE” stands for “voted in by employees.” As the name suggests, our methodology combined our own data as well as votes from employees, who ranked the strength of their company’s perks and benefits. Each category has winners and honorable mentions from small (up to 250 employees), medium (251 to 5,000), and large (more than 5,000) companies.
In the small-size category, healthtech startup Stride was a winner thanks to its monthly wellness stipend and access to a mental health services platform. As one employee says, “The same year I joined the company, my dad was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Thanks to Stride, I was able to talk to a counselor who helped me manage my stress so my work wasn't impacted.”
Crypto company Coinbase—which took one of the top spots for medium-sized companies—was praised for giving employees money to spend on wellness-related expenses and for its quarterly “recharge weeks.” Says one employee, “Our ‘recharge’ policy is ground-breaking. During this week, employees can truly disconnect without worrying about missing emails, messages, or meetings.”
Palo Alto Networks was among the winners in the large company category due to its recently launched FLEXBenefits program, which includes an annual stipend of $1,000 to spend on anything wellness-related. “Our FLEXBenefits are amazing,” says an employee. “The idea of wellness is different for everyone, so to have a huge variety of options—such as using it to pay for a Peloton or ski equipment or spa treatments—is awesome.”
Read on for the full list of winners in the health and wellness category.
Small Companies
Bowery Farming
Who they are: Bowery Farming grows indoor farms that are free from pollutants and use less finite resources like space and water.
What employees are saying: “We have a free subscription to Headspace and taking advantage of their brief meditation sessions is exactly the mental break I need from time to time.”
Intradiem
Who they are: Intradiem develops AI-powered technology that allows back-end offices and contact centers handling customer service issues to work more efficiently.
What employees are saying: “I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and Intradiem’s benefits made it one less thing I needed to focus on. Overall I could not have imagined going through this diagnosis with any other company.”
Momnt
Who they are: This fintech company offers a platform that businesses and consumers can use to streamline digital lending and payments.
What employees are saying: “I had only been with Momnt for three months when I found out I needed major surgery. My supervisor’s response was ‘you take care of you,’ and she assured me my job was secure. I also received full pay for three weeks. Knowing that I did not have to worry about my job or finances gave me the time I needed to heal properly.”
Stride
Who they are: This healthtech startup helps part-time and gig workers get access to affordable healthcare.
What employees are saying: “I was feeling pretty depressed in my day-to-day work life, so I told my manager and she had me look into some of our benefits. We had a partnership with Spring Health, and I was able to get free therapy sessions.”
Honorable Mention: Health-E Commerce
Honorable Mention: RapidSOS
Medium Companies
Coinbase
Who they are: Coinbase’s easy-to-use platform allows users to securely invest, spend, save, and earn cryptocurrency.
What employees are saying: “I really like the therapy benefit that is covered by our health plan. My family has been through a lot in the last year and it was important for me to focus on bettering myself, which in turn betters my career. The plan’s concierge service made the process so easy, and I am thankful to Coinbase for it.”
Flatiron Health
Who they are: The healthtech company is focused on accelerating cancer research and improving patient care.
What employees are saying: “When my mom passed away, it was the most difficult time I’ve ever faced in my life. I was broken. Flatiron offered me the flexibility to take the time I needed to begin healing, which was a long and difficult process mentally. I always felt supported and didn’t have to worry about job security. Employee mental well-being is important to Flatiron.”
Hudson River Trading
Who they are: This fintech firm develops automated trading algorithms and brings a scientific approach to trading financial products.
What employees are saying: “We have the most incredible in-office gym (talk about views!) and amazing perks for mental health support. Not to mention an absolutely stacked drink fridge with all the green juices and ginger-turmeric shots you can want.”
Honorable Mention: Cash App
Honorable Mention: CSC
Large Companies
Palo Alto Networks
Who they are: This cybersecurity company provides cutting-edge defense against cyber attacks.
What employees are saying: “We are given a very generous amount to purchase items that enable us to have a better quality of life. If I want to join a gym, purchase exercise equipment, learn a new hobby, or anything that helps maintain a healthy lifestyle, I can.”
Visa
Who they are: This finance company facilitates payment transactions between consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and government entities around the world.
What employees are saying: “I got therapy and health coaching through the Vida platform, which helped me lower my sugar and caffeine intake, taught me how to meditate, and improved my work-life balance.”
WeightWatchers
Who they are: WeightWatchers is a global wellness company and commercial weight management program.
What employees are saying: “I recently used my wellness stipend to purchase a kayak, which I have wanted for the last five years. I was thrilled to finally be able to buy it. Being outside in nature improves both my mental and physical health.”