Kroger Grocery Giant Wins Top Honor for Championing Employee Mental Health
CINCINNATI, May 23, 2025 — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, has been recognized with the prestigious 2025 Gold Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health by nonprofit Mental Health America (MHA). The certification, a rare distinction achieved by only 40% of employers, highlights Kroger’s commitment to fostering a psychologically safe and supportive environment for its workforce of over 400,000 employees.
“This recognition underscores Kroger’s core philosophy: investing in our associates’ well-being isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business,” said Tim Massa, Kroger’s Chief Associate Experience Officer. “In an era where workplace burnout and retention challenges dominate headlines, we’re setting a benchmark for how companies can integrate mental health support into their cultural DNA.”
Kroger scored a perfect 100% in MHA’s “holistic wellness” category, earning praise for initiatives that extend beyond standard healthcare benefits. The company’s programs include subsidized counseling, stress management resources, leadership training on mental health advocacy, and flexible scheduling policies. MHA also highlighted Kroger’s emphasis on cultivating workplace camaraderie through team-building activities and peer support networks.
The Gold Bell Seal, launched in 2019, has become a bellwether for corporate mental health strategies. MHA—a 116-year-old organization and pioneer in community mental health advocacy—evaluates companies through a rigorous audit process, assessing policies on inclusion, crisis response, and work-life balance.
Kroger’s achievement arrives as employers nationwide face growing pressure to address mental health concerns. A 2024 Gallup study revealed that 76% of U.S. workers report moderate to high stress levels, with 58% citing work as a primary contributor. Analysts suggest Kroger’s proactive stance could strengthen its competitive edge in attracting talent, particularly in the high-turnover retail sector.
About Kroger: The Kroger Co. operates nearly 3,000 stores under banners including Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, and Ralphs. Beyond its retail footprint, the company has intensified ESG-focused initiatives in recent years, pledging to eliminate hunger and waste in communities it serves by 2025. Its stock has outperformed the S&P 500 Consumer Staples Index by 12% year-to-date, with analysts attributing gains partly to its workforce stability amid industry labor shortages.
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