Why Understood.org updated its benefits for all employees
Understood.org’s mission is to shape the world for difference so that people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia, can thrive. To fully deliver on our mission, we’ve refreshed our values. And we’ve begun looking internally to understand how we can best live up to those values.
We can only do our best work if we’re at our best. Central to our values is that our team has the space to process — and to lead healthy lives, both mentally and physically. Because of this, we felt it was important to examine and revise our benefits to make sure we’re meeting our employees’ needs in today’s world.
Our refreshed benefits for employees
Understood.org has always made it a priority to provide top-tier benefits to our employees and their loved ones. Expanded benefits for 2023 include:
A summer wellness week, during which our entire organization will be closed for the full week of July 4 to give everyone the much needed time to rest mid-year.
A quarterly wellness stipend of $250, which can be used for expenses like gym memberships and classes, fitness equipment, acupuncture, holistic medicine, and other wellness expenses not covered by medical insurance.
An unlimited paid time off policy, so that everyone can take time off when they need and want it.
Expanded family planning benefits to include the many different ways our employees may choose to start a family.
A travel-for-care benefit for medical procedures needed 100 miles or more from home, with all details of procedures remaining confidential.
A sabbatical program — with a $5K stipend — for those who have completed seven years of work with the organization.
Ability to book discounted personal travel through Understood’s booking platform.
Healthier snack alternatives around our office.
These benefits were in addition to the strong existing benefits program, which includes:
Up to $1,200 per month to spend on benefits like medical, dental, and vision insurance; life, short- and long-term disability, critical illness, and accident insurances; medical FSA, dependent care FSA, commuter FSA, and other benefits.
Paid parental, family, and medical leave: We offer 12 weeks of paid parental and medical leave as well as leave for team members who need to take time off to care for a family member or due to personal illness.
Retirement: Automatic 401(k) employer contribution, 401(k) employer match — and employee is 100% immediately vested.
Gender affirming care covered as part of medical insurance.
Summer Fridays, when our offices close at 1 p.m. every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Winter break, when our offices close from 12/23/2022–1/2/2023.
Ginger subscription, for on-demand wellness coaching and therapy.
Calm premium subscription, for meditation and mindfulness.
Wellthy, for health care concierge and care coordination.
Dog-friendly office.
Join our team
At Understood.org, we commit ourselves to continuously learning and championing difference for those of us who learn and think differently. We always want to be a better employer to make the most positive impact we can for our employees — and for the people who rely on our resources.
Want to learn more? Want to join the team? To learn more about our benefits or to apply for a role at Understood, visit https://www.understood.org/join-our-team.
