A newly released case study shows Hilton’s employee wellness program “Thrive at Hilton” has saved team members more than 24,000 hours and significantly reduced stress by addressing caregiving challenges and other needs.
The SHRM Foundation, in partnership with Business Roundtable and Stand Together, published the study as the first in a series of four examining mental health initiatives at major corporations.
The hospitality giant’s data-driven approach has created measurable improvements in employee well-being across its global workforce of nearly 500,000 people, according to the report.
“At its core, Hilton is a business of people serving people, and we know that caring for our team members’ mental health is essential to creating an award-winning workplace where people can truly thrive,” said Laura Feuntes, Hilton’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of Hilton Supply Management.
Key findings
The case study highlighted several metrics showing the program’s impact:
- 88% of hotel-based team members report feeling balanced and healthy
- 85% feel comfortable discussing mental health with managers
- A caregiving concierge program helped 60% of users avoid work absences
Hilton’s revamped Employee Assistance Program (EAP) also dramatically reduced wait times for mental health appointments from weeks to a median of 0.8 days.
Comprehensive approach
The “Thrive at Hilton” program focuses on three pillars of well-being: body, mind, and spirit. After conducting focus groups, the company identified caregiving responsibilities as a primary stressor affecting mental health and introduced a third-party caregiving concierge service.
This resource supports employees managing various caregiving tasks from elder care to childcare, with 80% of users reporting reduced stress levels.
Awareness challenges
The case study addresses a common challenge identified in SHRM research: 67% of U.S. workers remain unaware or only somewhat aware of their organization’s mental health resources.
To combat this issue, Hilton implemented layered communication strategies including monthly benefit updates, live webinars and customized tip sheets. Over the past year, the company educated 4,500 team members through mental health webinars, with 99% reporting they learned actionable strategies to improve their well-being.
“Hilton’s innovative approach to well-being is a testament to what organizations can achieve when they truly listen to and invest in their people,” said Wendi Safstrom, President of the SHRM Foundation.
Three additional case studies featuring other Fortune 500 companies, including Kiewit Corporation, will be released soon.
