Today’s workforce is stretched thin—balancing caregiving, health, and daily life before the workday begins. It’s no surprise that 47% of employees and 66% of CEOs report most of their stress comes from work. Yet 55% of employees believe leadership overestimates the mental health of their workplace, and many fear stigma around seeking help (APA, 2023).  Employee engagement suffers when their mental health is overlooked.

Forward-thinking organizations are turning to Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSA) to meet evolving needs with flexible, personalized benefits. LSAs support a wide range of needs: mental health resources, caregiving, medical travel, family-forming, professional development, financial planning, wellness experiences, and more. All on employees’ terms.

Espresa’s 2024 Benchmark Report shows LSAs drive engagement rates over 80%, even with modest budgets. Airbnb’s global rollout saw 91% participation and 93% satisfaction, proof that personalization fuels results. Companies that prioritize wellbeing also report a 65% lift in productivity and 85% greater job satisfaction.

It’s about offering benefits that truly resonate. When employees are empowered with flexible options they actually use, organizations see higher engagement, stronger culture, and measurable value.

LSAs aren’t perks. They’re strategic for building resilient, high-performing teams.