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Key Takeaways Superhuman’s initial return-to-office mandate last year failed because few people showed up, and employees felt the office wasn’t worth the commute when it was mostly empty.
This year, the company replaced the mandate with a voluntary “Ways of Working” program, which gives employees a wellness stipend based on their time in the office.
Employees in the U.S. who come in two days a week receive $500 per quarter as a wellness stipend, while those who opt for five days can get up to $2,000 quarterly.
Superhuman, the startup behind AI productivity tools like Grammarly, is boosting office attendance by offering employees cash to come in, Business Insider reported.
In January, Superhuman launched its “Ways of Working” program, offering employees the option to work from the office two to five days a week. The company’s perks operate on a sliding scale: the more days in the office, the richer the benefits. These benefits are framed as wellness and lifestyle stipends rather than simple cash bonuses.
Employees in the U.S. who come in two days a week receive $500 per quarter as a wellness stipend, while those who opt for five days can get up to $2,000 quarterly. The money can cover commuter support, childcare costs, gym memberships, grocery delivery, cleaning services and other forms of day‑to‑day support that make office life easier, according to Business Insider.
The program is available across Superhuman’s global workforce of more than 1,500 employees and its eight hubs in North America and Europe. About 75% of employees near a hub have opted into the plan, with roughly one‑third of those choosing to come in four or five days a week. The strategy has dramatically increased daily office attendance by 57% since launch, Business Insider reported.
Ordering employees back to the office didn’t work
Superhuman initially tried a standard return‑to‑office mandate, requiring its engineering teams to come in two days a week starting in April 2025. Six months later, compliance was low, offices were empty, and employees said the trip wasn’t worthwhile because so few colleagues were present.
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