For employees at these 46 companies, going to the office is hardly the daily grind. From software companies to food service businesses, these workplaces are making the 9-to-5 a happier, healthier place every day.That means providing workers with benefits such as on-site fitness classes, child care centers, healthy subsidized meals, and fun perks like regular happy hours, company retreats, and open, light-filled office spaces.
Each company is listed according to rank, although each size category is a separate division (meaning that #1 in the "huge companies" field is not comparable with the #1 entry in "tiny companies"). While each of the companies described below (and many others that didn't make this list) have exemplary health benefits, we looked for businesses with perks that go truly above and beyond what's expected. Read on to find out which companies made the cut (and check out last year's list, too).
Huge Companies (20,000+ employees)
1. General Electric
Headquarters: Fairfield, CT. Employees: 305,000 (worldwide)
Photo: General Electric
The people at GE are all about tapping into that inner imagination to make the world work better. So it's little surprise they're working to tackle the global health problem with their Healthymagination campaign, designed to increase quality, access, and affordability of health care. GE employees live and breathe their mission with killer health benefits, maternity and paternity leave, onsite gyms at most locations, and HealthAhead — a wellness site with resources and tools to get and stay healthy. They're also encouraged to commit to making a small, health-related choice (such as standing more) every day through the company's "Small Changes" program. Wellness doesn't stop at the gym or the DASH-diet-approved catered events; GE also holds seminars on mindfulness and achieving balance. — NM
2. Google
Headquarters: Mountain View, CA. Employees: 44,777
Photo: Google
Google employees have a lot to smile about. Boasting an in-office slide, Ping-Pong tables, and scooters to make it to meetings on time, Google HQconsiders play a top priority. The super popular tech company makes healthy eating a cinch with visible nutrition labels and a cafeteria designed with behavioral economics in mind, putting healthier choices at the forefront and keeping portion sizes in check. Though Google admits its employees had a serious M&M addiction, the company took action by storing the candy in opaque containers and displaying healthier snacks, such as pistachios, in glass jars. And for any and all aches and pains, Google's got an onsite physical therapist and chiropractor. — NM
3. Accenture
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees: 275,000 (worldwide)
Photo: Accenture
Accenture knows how to get its employees moving, eating well, and stress free, thanks to health initiatives that include incentives and rewards to reach or succeed 10,000 steps a day and online health coaching programs for nutrition, stress, and exercise. For the employees who want to relive college intramurals, Accenture offers clubs including basketball, volleyball, football, and badminton. The high-tech consulting company treats expecting parents to a new parents’ toolkit, a nursing mother’s program, subsidized childcare, and even a $50 breast pump subsidy. Talk about benefits for the whole family. — NM
4. Mayo Clinic
Headquarters: Rochester, MN. Employees: 61,125
Photo: Mayo Clinic
5. Cisco Systems
Headquarters: San Jose, CA. Employees: 37,200
Photo: Cisco
This multinational corporation hooks up its work-from-home employees with state of the art equipment for their home office (nearly half of Cisco's employees telecommute full time). To stay up on their game, 80 percent of employees participate in professional development and education programs. For on-site employees, Cisco's LifeConnections health center has it all — a fitness center, primary care doctors, physical therapy, and even acupuncture. Thanks to flexible hours plus an onsite childcare center, Cisco was named one of Working Mother's 100 best companies to work for. — NM
6. Nike
Headquarters: Beaverton, OR. Employees: 48,000
Photo: Nike
This fitness-focused company doesn't stop its commitment to wellness at the onsite fitness center. Nike allots time for fitness during the workday at its many courts and studios — basketball, racquetball, squash, track, tennis courts, a swimming pool, weight rooms, a 34-foot climbing wall, and a Tour de France "simulator". Nike encourages balance in the form of R and R, with three weeks' vacation time every year. And we can't fail to mention the employee discount on Nike products. — NM
7. Microsoft
Headquarters: Redmond, WA. Employees: 99, 139 (worldwide).
Photo: Microsoft
With a bike shop, mini day spa, dry cleaning, and sports fields for pickup soccer, basketball, or cricket, the Microsoft campus has everything in reach — and don't forget the 37 espresso stands for a quick jolt. Microsoft offers free health screenings and flu shots and even has an onsite pharmacy to take the hassle out of prescription refills. They also have a team of doctors who make house calls, just like in the good ol' days. The beast of a software company knows the importance of giving back: Microsoft donates $17 to an nonprofit or charitable organization for every hour volunteered by its employees. — NM
8. General Mills
Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN. Employees: 41,000 (worldwide)
Photo: General Mills
With a heavily subsidized salad bar and junk-less vending machines, the men and women at General Mills know the importance of eating their Wheaties. To help employees fit in an end-of-the-week workout, the food giant holds Fitness Friday events including lunchtime kickball, snowshoeing, basketball, dodge ball, and cross-country skiing. Smoking cessation programs, healthy cooking classes, and Weight Watchers meetings are just a few of the many wellness related perks. Work-life balance is key at General Mills, with flexible schedules and work-from-home days encouraged. — NM
9. Wegmans
Headquarters: Rochester, NY. Employees: 44,000
Photo: Wegmans
From organic, fresh vegetables to sustainably raised meat, Wegmans’ commitment to healthy living doesn’t end at the checkout line. The company’s Eat Well, Live Well website provides employees with healthy eating challenges, health tips, and links to videos offering advice on everything from snacking to transitioning to a gluten free diet. The website also provides fitness resources for employees, from trail routes to yoga videos. Employees can take advantage of excellent health care and dental plans, paid time off, adoption assistance programs, and on-site professional development and computer-based training. — MD
10. Kaiser Permanente
Headquarters: Oakland, CA. Employees: 186,000
Photo: Kaiser Permanente
For a full list of the 46 healthiest companies to work for in America, go to Greatist.com. Medium-sized Companies (500 - 4,999 employees) 1. Insomniac Games Headquarters: Burbank, CA. Employees: 288
Photo: Insomniac Games
Headquartered in California, Insomniac Games is the company behind "Spyro," "Resistance," "Ratchet & Clank," and more. Known for its culture of fun, Insomniac bucks the stereotype of the unhealthy gamer with a slew of benefits, including free lunch on Fridays, a basketball court, volleyball court, putting green, and discounted gym memberships. Insomniac takes "paid vacation" one step further by actually giving employees money to go away after five years at the company. In the short term, the company offers in-house massages, a human-sized chessboard, and, for further evidence, this music video. — ZS
2. Centro
Headquarters: Chicago, IL. Employees: 370
Photo: Centro
3. Next Jump
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees: 200
Photo: Next Jump
This provider of Internet rewards and loyalty programs is especially good at rewarding its own employees. That includes free on-site healthy meals (and even healthy bags of snacks for the weekend), fitness classes, batting cages, virtual golf, and a rock wall. Their fitness facilities are open 24/7 and are available to all employees and their immediate families. Next Jump also sponsors an in-house fitness challenge, where teams of employees attend various fitness activities to earn points and cash in a health savings account. — DT
4. Burton
Headquarters: Burlington, VT. Employees: 372
Photo: Burton
5. Fab
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees: 440 (worldwide)
Photo: Fab
6. Lumosity
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA. Employees: 106
Photo: Lumosity
Lumosity makes brain-training software to keep minds sharp, and their employee perks are a sign of their own strong thinking. In addition to unlimited paid time off, Lumosity's 106 employees get access to catered lunches and a healthy snack pantry. Employment also comes with a free gym membership, and the company's Culture Team organizes regular happy hours and outings to get folks mingling outside the office. We assume they drink responsibly! — DT
7. Fowler White Boggs
Headquarters: Tampa, FL. Employees: 220
Photo: Fowler White Boggs
8. ZocDoc
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees: 450
Photo: ZocDoc
ZocDoc is a go-to app if you need to find a doctor, so the company's employees always know where to turn for medical care. For health and happiness beyond check-ups, the company's employees have access so some pretty legit perks. ZocDoc's New York City headquarters features an open office plan, yoga balls, comfy couches, Rock Band, healthy snacks, and a ping-pong table. Beer and wine happy hours happen every Friday, and anyone working after 8pm gets free dinner and a cab ride home. Regular company retreats and outings break up any office monotony, too. It's just what the doctor ordered. — DT
9. Tumblr
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees: 192
Photo: Tumblr
Tumblr's employees have built one of the world's best social media platforms, but they probably won't be using it to complain about work. The NYC-based company — recently acquired by web giant Yahoo — rewards workers for referring new employees, so working with your friends has never made more sense. Tumblr employees get a commuter savings account, twice-monthly office yoga, late-night dinner, and free gym memberships. The company also uses Sherpaa, a medical referral and insurance savings service that's becoming a hot commodity among healthy companies (including Greatist). — DT
10. MRY
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees: 375
Photo: MRY
This NYC-based advertising agency is pretty much the opposite of the booze-guzzling, chain-smoking ad firm depicted in "Mad Men." With an in-house barista, healthy catered breakfast once a week, gym discounts, office yoga sessions, and a company-wide step challenge, this company is making healthy living cool (check out their fancy-pants website if you don't believe us!). Life/work balance perks include uncapped paid time off, maternity/paternity time off, and the "Get a Life" program, where the company pays for employees to pursue mental or physical health goals outside work hours. — SB
For a full list of the 46 healthiest companies to work for in America, go to Greatist.com. Tiny Companies (< 100 employees) 1. Asana
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA. Employees: 50
Photo: Asana
Would you expect a company named after the Sanskrit word for yoga poses to be anything but healthy? This San Fran-based task management company puts a premium on whole-body health for its employees. That means providing two organic meals per day (customized to fit specific dietary needs, if necessary), life coaching services, in-house yoga classes, optional massages, and 1-on-1 sessions with a yoga teacher. Since Asana's brand is all about streamlining workflow, employees are encouraged to make their workstations as productive and positive as possible. That means each employee gets $10,000 to customize their workstation — popular choices include ergonomic and telescoping desks. — SB
2. Greatist
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees: 18
Photo: Jordan Shakeshaft
We live the life we champion at Greatist, which means keeping the workplace fit, healthy, and happy. Employees receive a free gym membership plus a $50 monthly stipend for extra fitness classes, physical therapy, or massages. Hungry workers help themselves to a fridge full of healthy groceries for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The whole company takes part in monthly "Gractivities" (fitness or wellness classes or activities around NYC) and "Grappy Hours" (in-office themed happy hours with plenty of healthy snacks). Plus, employees are encouraged to manage their own time — that means unlimited time off, flexible hours, and a frequently used work-from-home policy. Weekly meditation and appreciating fellow coworkers by presenting them with a stuffed animal round out the happiness perks. Heck, we were even recently named one of the 15 Best Startups to Work For in America! — SB
3. AnswerLab
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA. Employees: 42
Photo: AnswerLab
So much for the stereotype that tech gurus are couch potatoes. At AnswerLab, a website testing and research firm, employees are encouraged to stay active by participating in company-wide fitness challenges and scheduling walking meetings. Free gym membership and FitBit fitness trackers make it easy to add exercise into the daily routine. Regular fresh fruit deliveries and a tech "allowance" for trying out new products and devices make employees happy and healthy. — SB
4. Hanson Dodge Creative
Headquarters: Milwaukee, WI. Employees: 68
Photo: Hanson Dodge Creative
The digital marketing, branding, and technology company behind fitness names like Ragnar Relay and Trek bicycles knows how to keep employees happy at work. The company offers healthy meals at an on-site cafeteria, sponsors employee teams to run the Relay, and organizes monthly activities like scavenger hunts, bike races, and ice skating. With a fitness center, bicycles, and kayaks all available on-site, workers have no obstacles to getting and staying fit. Hanson Dodge is also pretty invested in its community — the management encourages employees to volunteer and do pro bono work on behalf of local organizations. Considering the flexible hours policy, employees have plenty of time to work on their karma as well as their fitness. — SB
5. Weebly
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA. Employees: 90 (worldwide)
Photo: Kevin Osmond
Blog and website platform Weebly doesn't just make working more fun; it makes life outside the office better, too. Employees (who can take advantage of flexible hours and a work-from-home policy) get a $50 monthly credit to a housecleaning and concierge service (Imagine how much time you'd save if someone else was in charge of laundry and errands!). If that weren't enough, workers also receive free healthy food, drinks, and snacks at the office and stay fit with a free gym membership and in-office yoga sessions twice a month. — SB
6. Conductor, Inc.
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees:100
Photo: Conductor
7. Noom
Headquarters: New York, NY. Employees: 30 (worldwide)
Photo: Noom
Noom is dedicated to making products that help people get healthier, so it's no surprise they place a premium on their employees' health. The app company provides workers with a free healthy lunch prepared in-house every day, in addition to healthy snacks. Employees are reimbursed for their gym memberships and can participate in yoga classes at the office once a week. Other fitness instructors regularly come into the office to teach classes. Noom also encourages employees to pursue their interests — every week the whole company participates in "Freestyle Friday," a chunk of time dedicated to brainstorming and working on passion projects. — SB
8. PatientsLikeMe
Headquarters: Cambridge, MA. Employees: 70
Photo: Patients Like Me
Patients Like Me is rethinking how people interact with doctors, medical research, and other patients. Communication and collaboration is built into the company from the ground up. Employees meet once a week for educational lunches and further benefit from weekly yoga sessions, mass transit passes, and on-site Wii, Ping Pong, and darts to keep the mood light. The Cambridge, MA-based company knows the importance of work/life balance, which is why all workers get 10 paid holidays, 20 days of paid time off per year, and can work flexible hours if needed. — SB
For a full list of the 46 healthiest companies to work for in America, go to Greatist.com.
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