Circles: a smart investment in a tight economy

In today’s economy, every dollar counts — and every hour matters. When budgets are tight and resources are stretched, leaders  are asked to do more with less. Retain top talent. Improve engagement. Support employee well-being. All while protecting the bottom line.

That’s where Circles comes in.

We partner with companies to save employees time, save companies money and boost productivity. And we don’t just say it — we can show it, fast.

Value That Starts on Day One

The Circles experience begins with something every employee needs: more time in their day. Our concierge and errand-running services take everyday tasks off your team’s plate — everything from finding a reliable plumber to planning a child’s birthday party, booking travel, tracking down hard-to-find gifts, or sourcing eldercare support.

We know today’s employers are juggling competing priorities — from retention and productivity to tight budgets and stretched teams. That’s why Circles is designed to deliver measurable value from day one. Our programs and services help support employees in meaningful ways, without adding complexity or straining your bottom line.

Here’s a great example: One Circles client added errand running to its on-site employee services and saw a 1,200% increase in usage — with more than 8,000 requests submitted. Each request saved employees an average of 2.7 hours, totaling over 21,000 hours returned to their teams. By expanding access to time-saving support, the company boosted engagement, enhanced the value of its existing amenities, and showed employees their time truly matters.

Time Back = Money Saved

It’s not just about convenience. It’s about cost savings — both direct and indirect.

By giving employees their time back, Circles helps reduce burnout, lower absenteeism and improve employee engagement. These factors have very real financial implications. Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace report shows that disengaged employees cost the global economy $8.9 trillion in lost productivity annually.

Meanwhile, companies working with Circles see real usage and real return:

• 64% reduction in turnover within one year of program implementation
• Supporting 70,000+ employees
• 3.4 hours saved per request, on average
• 870,000 hours saved by employees in one year
• 92% of employees feel valued with Circles

High engagement means high value.

Exclusive Discounts and Meaningful Perks

Circles doesn’t just save time, we also help both employees and employers save money through exclusive discounts and offers from our extensive partner network.

We’ve built trusted relationships with vendors across key industries, from childcare and home services to travel, entertainment, and wellness. When your employees use Circles, they get access to preferred pricing, negotiated deals, and special perks that go far beyond what they could find on their own. A few popular examples include:

• 7% off Carnival Cruise Lines
• 10% off LL Bean
• 10% off Hertz Car Rental
• 30% off Great Wolf Lodge

It’s your employees’ all-access pass to savings and services that support real life — helping them stretch their dollars further while feeling truly supported at work.

Productivity Without the Burnout

When companies hear “employee support,” they often assume it means extra costs. But Circles reframes that thinking — not as an added expense, but as a strategic investment in well-being and performance.

Adding concierge services may be new for some organizations, but they fit seamlessly within today’s wellness-focused workplace. Many companies are tapping into existing wellness budgets to fund services that support employees holistically — not just with fitness classes or meditation apps, but with everyday life logistics that reduce stress and free up mental space.

Real example: When Biogen, a global biotech company, added Circles to its benefits program, employees used it for everything from errands to household services — and collectively saved more than 10,000 hours in just 12 months. That’s time returned to focused work, family, or simply a much-needed breather.

And the impact wasn’t just felt in productivity. Biogen also saw a 65% reduction in turnover in the groups using Circles services. That’s the kind of win-win Circles delivers.

Supporting the Bottom Line, Holistically

In an uncertain economic climate, you can’t afford benefits that don’t drive results.

Circles supports both sides of the balance sheet:

• Hard savings through hours saved, reduced employee churn and lower absenteeism
• Soft savings through improved morale, work/life balance, reduced mental load and greater loyalty

And retention matters. Deloitte estimates that replacing an employee can cost 150–200% of their annual salary, meaning a $100K employee could cost up to $200K to replace.

By supporting employee well-being and showing them that their time matters, Circles helps you hold on to your best people longer and reduce new hire costs.

Proof of Value Starts Upfront

When budgets are tight, proof that you’re spending wisely is imperative. Circles makes it easy to demonstrate tangible value early on.

Our ROI Calculator lets you plug in your company’s data and see, in real numbers, what Circles could save you. It accounts for salary averages, utilization rates and time value —giving you an at-a-glance look at what you’d gain by freeing your people up to do more meaningful work.

Beyond the numbers, our teams provide strategic guidance grounded in real-time data, industry best practices and decades of experience — helping you keep your program relevant, well-used and aligned with evolving employee needs.

The proof? Our team provides post-launch reporting, real-time usage metrics and customized insights to help you tie Circles directly to employee satisfaction and business impact.

Why It Works in Every Industry

Whether you're a global law firm navigating long hours and tight client deadlines, a healthcare system juggling shift workers and patient loads, or a tech company managing hybrid work policies, your employees all have one thing in common: too much to do, too little time.

That’s why Circles is industry agnostic. We focus on the people, first. We don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we provide high-touch, personalized support that flexes to meet your workforce’s needs — wherever and however they work.

A Simple Equation for a Complex Economy

Here’s the bottom line:

More time + Less stress + Real savings = Better performance and happier employees.

Circles is not an added cost. It’s a multiplier.

In an economy where you can’t afford wasted time or talent walking out the door, that’s value you can take to the bank.

Ready to see what Circles could do for your workforce?

Connect with our team to learn how we help companies show value early, grow stronger, and stay resilient — no matter what the market throws your way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Circles demonstrate ROI?

Absolutely. Circles provides real-time usage tracking, detailed post-launch reporting and customized insights that make it easy to tie employee support directly to business outcomes. From participation rates and satisfaction scores to productivity metrics and time savings, we give you the data you need to quantify impact — fast. Our ROI Calculator also lets you model your own savings based on real inputs like average salary and utilization.

What kinds of tasks can Circles handle?

Circles is built to take care of the to-dos that weigh employees down. We help with everything from booking travel, researching child or eldercare, finding vetted home services, and planning events, to tackling everyday errands like gift shopping, reservations, and appointment scheduling. If it’s legal and ethical, chances are we can do it — and if we can’t, we’ll find someone who can.

Does Circles integrate with existing employee benefits?

Yes. Circles is designed to complement and elevate your current benefits ecosystem. We help your team get more out of what’s already offered by improving access, boosting awareness and filling in gaps where traditional benefits may fall short. It’s a smarter way to increase utilization and drive greater overall value — without adding more complexity.