Beyond the basics: How these companies are rethinking employee benefits

Illustration of employees nurturing a flourishing garden around a person’s head alongside the title “Beyond the basics: How these companies are rethinking employee benefits.”

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Health insurance. Paid time off. A retirement plan. You probably have a few things on your mental checklist when you’re looking at a potential employer’s benefits.

But some companies are going a lot further.

Think six-week sabbaticals. Fertility and family-building support. Backup pet care. Adoption assistance. Even pet insurance. These aren’t necessarily the first things you think of when you hear “employee benefits,” but they can make a very real difference when work meets, well, life.

And that’s the idea behind out-of-the-box benefits. The best benefits packages recognize that employees have lives, responsibilities, goals, and priorities that don’t fit neatly into a standard package. What feels meaningful to a new parent might look completely different to someone caring for an aging relative, planning their financial future, returning to work after a career break, or simply needing some serious time to recharge.

This month, we’re spotlighting companies that are thinking beyond the traditional benefits package. From sabbaticals and family-building assistance to wellness resources, caregiving support, and career programs, here’s how these employers are finding different ways to support their people.

Nestlé USA

Four Nestl\u00e9 USA employees chat outdoors near U.S., Puerto Rican, and Pride flags.


At Nestlé USA, we know great benefits go beyond the basics. That’s why we offer support designed for real life, from fertility and family-building assistance through Progyny and adoption/surrogacy reimbursement, to breast milk shipping for traveling parents and backup child, elder, and pet care resources.

Employees also have access to free mental wellbeing support through Spring Health, a flexible Lifestyle Spending Account that can be tailored to individual wellbeing goals, financial wellness resources, and personalized family support programs that help them thrive both at work and at home.

Learn more about Nestlé USA.

Zillow

A family spends time together outdoors as a father helps a young child learn to ride a bicycle.


At Zillow, we believe meaningful time away can create space to recharge, reconnect, and return with fresh energy. Our Recharge & Reboot program gives eligible full-time employees across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and India the opportunity to take up to six consecutive weeks away from work after every six years of continuous service. Employees can use the time however it’s most meaningful to them, whether that’s traveling, spending time with family, pursuing a personal passion, or simply slowing down. It’s one way we recognize employees’ long-term contributions and give them dedicated time to focus on what matters most to them.

Learn more about Zillow.

Mitsubishi Power

At Mitsubishi Power, supporting employees goes beyond traditional benefits. Our programs are designed to meet people where they are and support them through different stages of life. That means helping employees care for their health with personalized wellness programs, navigate the demands of family and caregiving, and build for their future with a generous 401(k) program. From paid parental leave and adoption assistance to tuition reimbursement and even optional pet insurance, we’re investing in benefits that support our employees’ wellbeing, growth, families, and futures.

Learn more about Mitsubishi Power.

Stryker

Supporting employees means recognizing that well-being looks different for everyone. Stryker’s benefits approach extends beyond traditional medical coverage with resources that can help employees care for their mental health, support their overall well-being and navigate life’s changing needs. By making support easier to access, employees can focus on what matters most at work and at home. These offerings reflect a broader commitment to creating an environment where people feel supported as individuals, not just employees.

Learn more about Stryker.

SoftwareOne

At SoftwareOne, we believe careers are not always linear, and opportunity should be accessible to everyone. Through initiatives like our SOAR Returnship Programme, we support professionals returning to work after career breaks with structured learning and mentoring. We encourage growth through global mobility opportunities and create pathways into technology for graduates, apprentices, and career changers alike. Inclusive hiring is embedded throughout our recruitment process, from accessible interviews and reasonable accommodations to reducing barriers that may prevent candidates from demonstrating their full potential. We are committed to creating a fair, welcoming experience for every applicant while maintaining a thriving Alumni Network that supports future boomerang hires.

Learn more about SoftwareOne.

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