News
Chipotle cares about your mental health
November 5, 2019
Chipotle Mexican Grill is providing access to mental healthcare and financial wellness for more than 80,000 employees in 2020. By simplifying access to mental health benefits and identifying work-related risk factors, the chain is trying to minimize the effect of mental health in the workplace, according to a company press release.
All Chipotle associates and their family members will have the opportunity to receive personalized assistance from healthcare experts before, during and following medical needs through a partnership with Health Advocate, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the company's medical plan. Mental health and emotional support will also extend to all employees and their family members through in-person, phone or virtual visits with a licensed counselor to support personal, professional, mental, financial and/or legal concerns, said Marissa Andrada, Chipotle's chief people officer.
"This is just the beginning of how we're strategically investing in the well-being of our employees and their families," she said in the release. "Our vision for people is to create a culture where employees can thrive and pursue their passion and by extending access to all levels and enriching our Employee Assistance Program, we are ensuring that our employees can build mental fitness and bring their best selves to work every day."
Additional enhancements to Chipotle's 2020 suite of benefits available to all include:
- Cultivate Me portal (UPoint): A benefits site that will bring the entire Chipotle health care ecosystem to employees' mobile phones.
- Healthcare plans: Enhanced hourly PPO plan for eligible crew in addition to the Preventative Plus plan.
- Financial Wellness: Access to Ayco's financial counseling platform, including an assessment, checklist and accompanying education to assist with financial planning
- Fitness Centers: Access to national gyms with discounted pricing.
Communicating and encouraging use of these programs can make a real impact when it comes to managing mental illness in the workplace, according to a study by PwC, which said money caused the most stress in the lives of almost 60% of people. Chipotle recognized this when it introduced both debt-free degrees and a crew bonus program this year, which allows its restaurant teams the opportunity to earn up to an extra month's pay each year based on pre-determined sales, as well as cashflow and throughput goals. The bonus (calculated as an individual's average weekly pay per quarter), valued at more than $1 million last quarter, was achieved by 135 restaurants and 3,100 employees.
