Golden Hippo Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing

What specific health and wellness programs or initiatives has your company implemented?    

At Golden Hippo, we’re committed to supporting the well-being of our employees through a holistic approach that prioritizes physical, mental, and emotional health. Last year, we launched a year-round wellness initiative anchored by monthly wellness themes. Each month focused on a dedicated health topic such as stress management, financial well-being, nutrition, movement, or work-life balance, and included webinars, interactive challenges, and curated wellness resources.

Employees can participate in monthly challenges designed to promote healthy habits in fun and accessible ways, from step and hydration challenges to mindfulness and gratitude prompts. To keep engagement high, we also offer wellness-themed prizes each month such as walking pads, smart water bottles, water flossers, and smart watches, helping our teams stay motivated and connected.

Beyond monthly programming, we offer a robust suite of benefits and resources, including mental health support, an on-site gym and kitchen stocked with healthy food, access to EAP services, and opportunities for personal development. Our goal is to make well-being a consistent part of our culture rather than a one-time effort.

How have wellness initiatives affected your employees and your business? Are you seeing improvements in areas like morale, retention, performance, or overall workplace culture?

Our wellness initiatives have had a meaningful and measurable impact across the organization. Participation in our monthly themes and challenges has helped foster a stronger sense of community and engagement among teams, especially those working in hybrid or remote environments. Employees have shared that the programs make them feel more supported not only as professionals but as people, reinforcing the idea that Golden Hippo truly values their well-being.

We’ve seen a positive influence on morale, with employees reporting greater energy, improved work-life balance, and increased connection with coworkers. Plus, it’s a great way for us to engage in some friendly competition throughout the year! Culturally, the focus on wellness has created a more supportive and empathetic workplace. Teams are more communicative, more collaborative, and more mindful of healthy work habits. While wellness programs are not a singular solution, they play a significant role in making Golden Hippo a place where people feel empowered to do their best work and feel good doing it.

Beyond standard benefits, what innovative programs or perks does your company offer to support employee wellness and work-life integration?

Beyond standard benefits, our company takes a holistic approach to employee wellness and work-life integration. One of our standout initiatives is our monthly benefits themes. Each month, we spotlight a different wellness topic and share related information, tools, and resources. These themes are paired with an engaging challenge or event, giving employees the chance to participate and win prizes. Past themes have included a hydration challenge, sugar-free week, and a healthy eating challenge, all designed to promote healthy habits in a fun, community-driven way. We also offer an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), empowering team members to take ownership in the company’s success. To further support a positive and motivating work culture, we have robust recognition programs such as Win of the Week, Spot Bonuses, and Shout-outs, ensuring that outstanding contributions are celebrated regularly. Together, these programs reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting employee well-being, engagement, and a strong sense of belonging.

How has your organization adapted its benefits and support systems in response to changing employee needs and expectations?

Our organization has adapted by listening closely to employee feedback and evolving our support systems accordingly. Our monthly benefits themes were a new approach to communicating our offerings through cohesive, focused messaging. These themes are designed to help employees better understand and engage with their benefits in a more meaningful way. We’ve also expanded our perks to reflect the lifestyles of our team. A great example is the addition of Vetster, a virtual veterinary care service, in recognition of how many of our employees are pet parents. These changes are part of our ongoing commitment to meeting employees where they are and supporting their whole selves, at work and beyond.

How has your company adapted its employer brand messaging to reflect changes in work arrangements (e.g., remote or hybrid options)?

We’ve adapted our employer brand messaging to highlight our commitment to flexibility, collaboration, and work-life balance. We recognize that top talent thrives in different environments, so we offer hybrid and remote work options where possible while maintaining a strong culture of innovation and teamwork. Our messaging emphasizes connection, recognition, and the resources we provide to ensure employees stay connected and engaged, no matter where they work. Through authentic storytelling and employee testimonials, we showcase how our team members succeed in various work arrangements while staying aligned with our mission to improve lives through best-in-class products.

What unique benefits or support do you offer to remote or flexible workers?

We provide unique benefits to support our remote and flexible workers, ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive. One key perk is our monthly cell and internet reimbursement, helping employees stay connected and productive no matter where they work. We also offer flexible work arrangements, virtual yoga & meditation classes, and monthly benefits webinars and challenges that are open to all employees regardless of location. Our commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being ensures that every team member feels supported, whether they’re in the office or working remotely.

How has Golden Hippo adapted its compensation and benefits to meet the ever-changing priorities of workers?

Golden Hippo has evolved our compensation and benefits to align with the changing priorities of today’s workforce, focusing on comprehensive support, work-life balance and inclusivity. We offer 100 percent employer-paid medical, dental and vision insurance; ensuring employees and their families are covered without financial worry. We support family needs through Maven, offering personalized care for family planning, pregnancy, parenting and provide 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave — allowing new parents ample bonding time.

What unique offerings set you apart?

We encourage lifelong learning with our tuition reimbursement program, and we support a healthy work-life balance with 12 paid holidays and three weeks of vacation starting from day one. To further enhance the employee experience, our office features a fully stocked kitchen and an on-site gym, promoting overall well-being. Additionally, as a Vetster-certified pet-friendly workplace, we welcome employees’ dogs, creating a more inclusive and comforting work environment. These unique offerings set Golden Hippo apart as an employer that truly understands and responds to the diverse needs of our workforce.

How does your compensation strategy support work-life balance and career advancement? 

At Golden Hippo, our compensation strategy is designed to balance work-life priorities with career advancement. We offer a 401(k) match up to 3.5 percent and an employee stock ownership plan, giving employees a stake in the company’s success while securing their financial future. Our career guide is tied directly to our compensation structure, ensuring that as employees gain skills and take on additional responsibilities, they have clear opportunities for advancement, which includes an increase in base pay.

To further support career growth, we provide mentorship programs and continuous learning opportunities, empowering employees to develop professionally. We also offer bonuses at all levels and market price 100 percent of our jobs to maintain competitive compensation. 

Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, we offer remote and hybrid work options for most positions, giving employees the flexibility they need to thrive both personally and professionally. These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to fostering an environment where employees can grow their careers while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.