for The Wall Street Journal: The Office Therapist Will See You Now by José A. Alvarado Jr.

News

for The Wall Street Journal: The Office Therapist Will See You Now

josé a. alvarado jr.

Sep 26, 2024

Location: Connecticut

Summary

Synchrony Financial, at the request of its youngest workers, adds a psychologist at its headquarters

The leafy headquarters of Synchrony Financial SYF -3.00%decrease; red down pointing triangle is home to an on-site bar, wooded walking trails, bocce ball courts and a vegetable garden. The most unconventional amenity, though, sits near the edge of campus.

On the first floor of a little-trafficked office building, psychologist Jennifer Nielsen now sees Synchrony employees for free therapy appointments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays most weeks.

The benefit, which Synchrony began offering this year, has been embraced within the company, even if it is still largely unheard of at other major U.S. employers. While companies have long offered access to employee-assistance lines and other programs meant to support well-being, most bosses have stopped short of bringing therapists on site, fearing such a move could blur the line between personal and professional.

Synchrony got the request to provide the service from some of its youngest employees this past year. Members of its two-year business leadership rotational program told DJ Casto, Synchrony’s human-resources chief, that they would like access to a therapist during business hours.

Photographed for The Wall Street Journal, with words by Chip Cutter

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José A. Alvarado Jr.

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