We asked leaders from Walmart, Chipotle, JetBlue and Uber how they’re using education benefits as more companies connect the offering to their bottom line.
Turnover is high on the front lines of retail and foodservice, where low wages and long hours make job-hopping common, even expected.
But some companies are adding a perk they hope will encourage workers to stick around: the opportunity to earn a college degree at little or no cost.
In the last year or so, several major employers in sectors that rely heavily on low-wage labor have added free or highly subsidized degrees and certificates to their benefits packages. Others have expanded programs already in place.
Tuition benefits aren’t new to corporate America. According to one recent report, nine in 10 companies surveyed offer some type of education benefit, with tuition assistance being the most common.