Marshall noted that there is a critical threshold, at 3-4 months of employment, where tardiness and absenteeism start to occur in many of these new hires — often resulting in termination or resignation.

Since it’s costly for the company to recruit and train new talent (Marshall puts the number at $5500 per employee), she figured it is wise to invest in helping employees surmount the challenges they face in maintaining employment — factors outside the workplace — like childcare, financial planning, transportation, and counseling.

For decades the company has offered in-house medical services, which will continue with the new initiative.