Companies That Are Leading the Way in Employee Wellbeing (And What We Can Learn From Them)

When building a benefits plan, you need to balance budget constraints with the wide range of needs in your workforce. As someone who started their career in HR and now works as a talent consultant, I’ve witnessed both sides of the employee wellbeing equation. I’ve helped build benefits plans and coached managers through tough conversations, and now I talk to candidates every day who have very specific expectations about wellness at work.  

What I can tell you is that the landscape has shifted, and progressive benefits aren’t just “perks” anymore; they’re what set the best employers apart and what job seekers actively demand. The days of talking about benefits at the end of the recruiting process are gone because candidates now open conversations asking about mental health support, parental leave, flexibility, and real work-life balance. Companies that prioritize these areas stand out immediately. 

Key Takeaways

• Wellbeing is a strategic priority: The most successful companies treat wellbeing as core to their business outcomes. They use surveys and employee feedback to guide investments and measure impact. 
• Benefits are diverse: Examples range from financial counseling to mental health services and on-site fitness centers. 
• Flexibility and inclusiveness matter: Programs that accommodate varied lifestyles attract, and keep, top talent. 
• Candidates care: They often ask directly about wellness resources, work-life balance, and mental health support. 
• Smaller companies can lead: You don’t need Google’s budget to build a culture that supports wellbeing. 

3 Companies with Impressive Employee Wellbeing Programs

These are a few companies whose employee well-being programs I admire and think we can all be inspired by. I tried to choose three companies in different industries and sizes.

1. CHI Overhead Doors (~800 Employees)

CHI Overhead Doors is a manufacturing company that’s gained widespread attention for its employee ownership program and innovative approach to wellness. Rather than imposing benefits from the top down, CHI empowers employees to decide what best supports their health and productivity, fostering strong engagement and business results. I’ve also seen the significant impact these benefits can have through similar opportunities at DISHER.

Some highlights of their employee wellbeing program: 

• Employee equity/ownership: Leads to substantial financial rewards for employees. This approach not only dramatically boosts financial security for workers and their families but also fosters a culture of engagement, loyalty, and shared success.
• On-site canteen: Employees play a direct role in shaping menu options, ensuring that the food meets their well-being and dietary needs.
• On-site health clinic: Makes it easier for employees to manage their health, avoid costly ER or urgent care visits, and stay productive. The company’s approach to health has led to a more than 50% reduction in workplace injury rates and a notable increase in employee satisfaction and retention.
• Employee surveys: Employees propose ideas for wellbeing improvements (such as air conditioning, upgraded break rooms, cafeteria changes, or adding an on-site gym), then vote on which initiatives to fund and implement.

2. Zappos (~2000 Employees)

Zappos is renowned for making fun, wellness, and inclusivity core aspects of its culture. Their holistic approach covers physical, emotional, and social well-being, and they prioritize employee recognition. 

Some highlights of their employee wellbeing program include: 

• Wellness adventures: Activities like rock climbing and hiking trips encourage employees to try new things and focus on personal growth and health outside work. 
• Fitness reimbursements: Employees receive financial support for gym memberships, fitness classes, and wellness-related purchases to make staying active more accessible. 
• Nap rooms and relaxation spaces: Dedicated quiet areas throughout the office allow employees to recharge and reduce stress during the workday. 
• Personalized wellness coaching: All employees can work one-on-one with wellness coaches to develop custom plans supporting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 
• Inclusive and fun culture: Pet-friendly offices, flexible dress codes, unique team celebrations, and creative programs help people connect and feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. 

3. Google (~180,000 employees)

Google is famous for its world-class wellbeing programs. Their benefits go far beyond healthcare and include wellness resources, flexible schedules, paid “recharge days,” and generous parental leave. 

Some highlights of their employee wellbeing program include: 

• On-site fitness centers and classes: State-of-the-art gyms equipped with exercise machines, free weights, and spaces for regular group fitness classes (including yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, and dance). 
• Healthy food options & nutrition education: Gourmet cafeterias serving healthy, organic, and locally-sourced meals at no additional cost. They also offer nutrition workshops and one-on-one sessions with registered dietitians to help employees create tailored meal plans. 
• Mindfulness, stress reduction & mental health support: Access to mental health professionals, including free counseling and therapy, both on-site and virtually. In addition, they have a dedicated Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential support for personal and work challenges. 
• Emotional resilience and peer support: Emotional well-being programs focus on holistic health, including stress management, work-life balance, and social connection. 
• Flexible work and wellbeing tools: Hybrid work model empowering employees with remote work options, flexible scheduling, and generous paid time off, including company-wide “recharge days” that proactively combat burnout. 
• Financial security and life balance support: Strong financial benefits, including robust 401(k) plans, stock options, financial planning resources, paid parental leave, and extensive sick leave. 

What can we learn?

Wellbeing isn’t a perk, but a magnet for top talent and a driver of business success. Leading employers, such as CHI Overhead Doors, Zappos, and Google, are shaping the future of employee well-being by integrating flexibility, inclusivity, and data-driven program design.  

The key: listen to employees, prioritize flexibility and inclusiveness, and remember that even smaller organizations can make a big impact.  

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s great, but we can’t afford to do it all,” you’re not alone. Many innovative organizations now empower employees by offering Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs)—customizable wellness funds that let staff choose from a menu of benefits, such as gym memberships, mental health resources, or healthy meal services, tailoring their wellbeing experience to their unique needs and preferences. This lets the employee choose the wellness benefits that matter most to them.   

Building a Culture of Wellbeing with DISHER Talent Solutions

No matter your company’s size or industry, the journey toward exceptional employee wellbeing starts with a willingness to listen, adapt, and act. At DISHER Talent Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how the organizations that thoughtfully invest in people set themselves apart in today’s competitive talent market. 

Ready to build a benefits plan that reflects your team’s unique needs? Connect with DISHER Talent Solutions for expert support to help cultivate a thriving culture of wellbeing—tailored for your goals and your people.