In a world where burnout’s a buzzword and hybrid work is the norm, the companies topping Fortune’s 2025 Best Companies to Work For list aren’t just offering perks—they’re redefining what it means to prioritize employee wellness. Released on April 2, these rankings spotlight organizations that go beyond gym memberships and free snacks, weaving mental health, flexibility, and purpose into their DNA. Here’s what makes this year’s standouts shine.
Topping the list is Salesforce, snagging the No. 1 spot for the second year running. The tech giant’s secret? A relentless focus on balance. Employees get six paid “wellness days” annually, plus access to the mindfulness app Headspace and a stipend for home office upgrades. “We’re not just building software—we’re building lives,” said Chief People Officer Amy Weaver. A 2024 internal survey showed 87% of staff felt supported in managing stress, a stat that helped propel Salesforce past 99 other contenders.
Landing at No. 2, Wegmans Food Markets proves retail can be a wellness haven. The family-owned grocery chain offers free teletherapy sessions, on-site yoga, and a “caregiver leave” policy for employees supporting loved ones. Cashier-turned-manager Lisa Torres credits the culture for her 15-year tenure: “They don’t just say they care—they show it.” Wegmans’ turnover rate? A mere 6%, half the industry average.
Nvidia rounds out the top three, riding its AI boom to a wellness win. Beyond sky-high salaries, the chipmaker provides “recharge weeks”—company-wide shutdowns to unplug—and a peer recognition program tied to mental health resources. “Innovation thrives when people aren’t fried,” said HR VP Raj Patel. Engagement scores hit 91% last year, per Great Place to Work data, which partners with Fortune to crunch the numbers.
This year’s list, drawn from surveys of over 1.2 million U.S. workers, zeroes in on wellness as a dealbreaker. Companies were scored on trust, support, and benefits, with extra weight given to policies tackling stress and flexibility. The result? A mix of tech titans, healthcare players (like No. 4 Mayo Clinic), and surprises like No. 7 Hilton, where staff rave about sabbaticals after 10 years.
What ties them together is action, not optics. Take No. 5 Accenture, where a “Thriving Minds” initiative pairs employees with wellness coaches, or No. 10 REI, which still closes on Black Friday to give workers a breather. “Wellness isn’t a buzzword—it’s a metric,” said Great Place to Work CEO Michael Bush. Firms that scored high saw 23% higher productivity and 15% lower healthcare costs, per 2024 analytics.
As AI reshapes jobs and Boomers retire, the best companies aren’t waiting for workers to burn out—they’re building cultures where people can thrive. For employees, it’s a signal: your well-being matters as much as your output.
