Chipotle Extends Benefits to Provide Mental Health Care

QSR Magazine reported that Chipotle has been tackling the talent crisis head-on by gradually releasing and extending existing employee incentives including bonuses, a fortified suite of benefits plus financial assistance and debt-free access to higher education. The brand announced that, coming in 2020, it will introduce revamped healthcare plans to include financial wellness counseling, mental health care and discounts at national fitness centers. 

Regardless of whether employees are enrolled in Chipotle’s healthcare plan, associates are family members are eligible to receive personalized assistance from healthcare experts, mental health and emotional support from licensed counselors and more, all through an online portal created in partnership with Health Advocate.  

Marissa Andrada, Chipotle’s Chief People Officer, said to QSR, “This is just the beginning of how we're strategically investing in the well-being of our employees and their families…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.”

Chipotle has certainly solidified itself as an industry leader when it comes to investing back in its employees, and could influence other brands to do the same. Chipotle’s progressive policies could be a sign of a turning tide in the industry at-large, but there will of course always be pushback when it comes to increasing overhead, especially when it could increase costs for franchisees.