Walmart taking well-being benefits to new level

Walmart is expanding its well-being services for employees — and their families.

The retail giant more than tripling the number of no-cost, confidential counseling sessions available to all U.S. employees and their families through Resources for Living. Starting this month, all of Walmart’s U.S. employees and their household members, including dependent children up to age 26, will be eligible for up to 10 no-cost counseling sessions per concern.

The expanded benefits were announced by Lisa Woods, VP, physical and emotional well-being, Walmart, in a blog on the company’s website.

RFL licensed professionals are available 24/7 to listen and offer caring advice on almost anything that affects emotional well-being, including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationships (personal and professional), family conflict, substance abuse, coping with change, parenting and more, explained Woods. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40% of U.S. adults had reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse over a period of 30 days in a September 2020 survey.

“We know our existing well-being programs are making a difference in our associates’ lives,” she wrote. “We also know that today, more than ever before, many of us are facing new unexpected personal circumstances that impact our emotional well-being. And though those circumstances are ever-changing, we'll continue investing in the well-being of our associates — today, and always.”

Walmart noted the no-cost counseling sessions follow other well-being initiatives by the chain, including waiving the co-pay for Doctor on Demand services for associates in the medical plan.