Effective workplace perks that actually deliver return on investment

Conversations about workplace perks often start with the same examples: gym discounts, free snacks, or ping pong tables. But in 2025, benefits leaders are under pressure to move beyond surface-level offerings and invest in perks that drive real business value.

The best workplace perks improve employee health, retention, equity, and productivity. They create a measurable return on investment, not just a feel-good moment.

In this article, we’ll explore evidence-backed workplace perks that actually improve workforce performance. Then we’ll look at how Sword Health stands out as a next-generation health benefit built to increase engagement, improve health outcomes, and support workforce performance.

What makes a workplace perk valuable?

To determine whether a perk delivers ROI, consider whether it contributes to one or more of the following value drivers:

• Improve employee health and reduce absenteeismIncrease employee engagement and moraleMake a meaningful, measurable contribution to retentionImprove inclusivity and equity across the workplaceHelp attract top talent in competitive marketsDeliver measurable cost savings or productivity gains

Perks that meet these criteria help organizations become healthier, more resilient, and more productive.

To maximize impact, benefits teams should prioritize perks that come with measurable proof. Too often, programs are launched without clear metrics for success, leaving value on the table and ROI unclear. Benefits that offer independently verified outcomes or longitudinal studies demonstrate not just impact, but accountability.

Choosing programs that regularly report performance metrics allows HR teams to course-correct, justify spend, and scale what’s working. For employers, this level of transparency increases confidence in their investment, especially when budget constraints require every dollar to work harder.

Top perks that deliver measurable results

There are thousands of different workplace perks available, from lifestyle stipends to fitness apps to pet insurance. But when narrowing down to those that deliver clear, measurable business value, we focused on five categories that consistently demonstrate ROI across health outcomes, productivity gains, and employee satisfaction.

These perks were selected based on the strength of available evidence, real-world employer results, and their ability to align with both workforce needs and organizational objectives. We prioritized solutions that support physical and mental health, improve workplace equity, and integrate easily into existing benefits ecosystems.

1. AI Care programs

Why it works: Employees want convenient, high-quality care that fits their schedules. Virtual healthcare options reduce friction and increase adherence, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced absenteeism. Sword's AI Care Platform takes this one step further with AI-native, personalized programs that members can access at any time or place to suit their schedule.

What the best vendors offer: On-demand access to qualified providers, app-based tracking and engagement tools, integrations with broader health benefits platforms, and transparent reporting dashboards.

Evidence: One study found that telehealth users had 38% fewer hospital admissions and 31% lower healthcare costs.¹ Virtual physical therapy programs like Sword Health show high engagement and strong clinical outcomes, with 64% fewer missed workdays among engaged members.²

2. Mental health support

Why it works: Burnout and stress are top causes of disengagement and turnover. Access to expert therapists and coaching services helps employees stay emotionally healthy and engaged.

What the best vendors offer: Flexible session formats (video, chat, phone), certified clinicians, self-guided tools for mindfulness and stress management, and aggregated outcome reporting to employers.

Evidence: Companies that offer mental health benefits see up to 24% higher retention and 23% improvement in productivity.³

3. Structured movement or injury prevention programs

Why it works: Physical inactivity and musculoskeletal issues are leading causes of workplace absence. Programs that support movement, function, and long-term habit formation can help employees stay active and productive.

What the best vendors offer: Personalized plans with expert guidance, progress tracking, integration with other care pathways, and AI-native delivery that supports consistent adherence.

Evidence: Sword’s preventive movement support has been associated with 48% pain reduction and 68% productivity improvement.⁴

4. Caregiver and parental support

Why it works: When employees have better support for their caregiving responsibilities, they experience less stress and are more able to focus at work.

What the best vendors offer: Backup childcare, elder care coordination, caregiver coaching, parental leave management tools, and access to mental health resources.

Evidence: Employers offering caregiver perks saw a 35% improvement in employee loyalty and up to 20% increase in retention.⁵

5. Pelvic and women’s health programs

Why it works: Pelvic floor issues, incontinence, and menopause symptoms quietly impact millions of workers, especially women over 40. Programs like Sword’s Bloom provide digital pelvic health care that’s private, effective, and scalable.

What the best vendors offer: Sword Bloom is an ideal example of an effective women's health benefit. When you offer Bloom, your members get 24/7 access to women’s health specialists, pelvic care support, sensor-enabled biofeedback, and flexible care from home.

Evidence: Bloom users report a 68% improvement in productivity and 86% improvement in daily function.⁶

Why Sword Health outperforms traditional perks

Sword Health's AI Care Platform offers continuous support for members delivered across pain, women’s health, cardiometabolic health, and mental health, through one connected platform.

Part of what sets Sword apart from wellness apps or generalized support programs is its ability to connect members with more personalized care pathways and measurable outcomes.

• One continuous healthcare conversation: The member is supported 24/7 in one continuous conversation with Phoenix and a clinical specialist. Phoenix delivers always-on, personalized care within governed protocols, while clinicians provide oversight and make clinical decisions. Every interaction builds on the last.
• Clinical memory is always improving care: Every time a member sees a new provider, starts a new program, or describes a new symptom, they start from zero. Healthcare forgets. Sword doesn't. Every interaction builds a clinical memory that travels with the member across every condition, program, and care decision they ever have.
• One system with 24/7 access across programs: Members can engage in multiple programs at once, each informed by a shared clinical understanding. Pain care can adjust based on a member's mental health struggles. A women’s health symptom can inform a member's cardiometabolic care plan for connected healthcare, stronger program adherence, and stronger outcomes.

Employers can choose to offer the entire Sword suite to support comprehensive employee health or select individual solutions tailored to their population's needs. This flexibility allows benefits leaders to design high-impact programs without overcommitting budget or resources.

Sword delivers proven ROI at enterprise scale

Sword programs consistently deliver business value. Independent and internal studies show an average of 3:1 ROI on MSK care investment⁷.

Employers can also count on strong ROI through sustained cost savings against traditional treatment options. Sword is the only digital solution proven to be as engaging and clinically effective (or more) as high-intensity in-person physical therapy.⁹

The takeaway for benefits leaders

Workplace perks should not be evaluated on soft metrics alone. If you invest in additional benefits, you should expect your vendors to drive meaningful improvements across your employee base and deliver measurable value.

As you evaluate your benefits stack for 2026 and beyond, focus on perks that:

• Address major cost drivers like MSK conditions
• Are easy for employees to access and engage with
• Deliver measurable ROI through reduced spend or improved output

Sword's AI Care Platform addresses these priorities with outcomes-based care designed to improve engagement, support health outcomes, and strengthen workforce performance.