Cisco Benefits

Our employees bring their talent, energy, and heart to everything we create, and we’re committed to giving that same care back.

Our strategy is to offer inclusive, highly adaptable benefits and well-being offerings. The global programs below are available to all employees worldwide, both full- and part-time. In addition, we offer many country-specific benefits.

Well-being Initiatives

We focus on whole person health — physically, emotionally, socially, and financially. Our well-being programs include:

• Well-being Ambassadors: A community of employees who are passionate about well-being, lead by example, and inspire others to do the same.
• Cisco Pavelka: Our partner to help individuals thrive with small, daily actions that build healthier teams and habits.
• Employee Assistance Program: Services to help employees and their families navigate personal challenges and support mental health, with up to 10 free in-person or virtual counseling sessions per year, per concern. Plus, we offer a referral service for local resources like babysitters, legal services, caregiving, and more.
• Leader and teams training: Tailored training to support the overall well-being of teams, helping to foster collaboration and creativity, inspire new ways of working, and set leaders up for success.
• Cisco Mind Set: Courses where employees can learn science-based mindfulness strategies to boost resilience, focus, and adaptability — available through instructor-led sessions or on-demand courses.
• Safe to Talk: An employee-led mental health community where Cisconians share stories, resources, and encouragement with one another.
• Neurodivergent support: One-on-one coaching and skills training to help employees with ADHD, autism, and other types of neurodivergence thrive, plus resources for managers and colleagues to foster more inclusive teams.
• Financial well-being: Tools and resources to help manage debt, budget, and save. For example, our Employee Stock Purchase Program (available in most countries) allows employees to use a portion of their salary to purchase Cisco stock at a discount. Retirement or pension plans are available in more than 30 countries.
• Onsite and virtual resources: LifeConnections Health Centers (available at three of our largest campuses: San Jose, California; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and Bangalore, India) that provide high-quality preventive care, urgent illness care, specialized women’s health, mental health support, and acupuncture and chiropractic services.
• Fitness Centers: LifeConnections Fitness Centers that offer no-cost virtual classes for employees and families around the world, as well as state-of-the-art facilities in select locations.

Family Support

No two families are the same, and the solutions we provide are designed to meet each family’s unique needs. We offer:

• Caregiving Concierge: Personalized support and designated care coordinators to manage complex needs — whether caring for an aging parent, supporting a child with special needs, or helping a loved one after a diagnosis.
• Global parental leave: A minimum amount of paid time off to welcome and bond with a new child. Primary caregivers, regardless of their gender, have at least 13 weeks of parental leave, and in many countries more time is available.
• Gifts for our littlest ones: A free child gift and welcome kit to welcome new additions to our employees’ families.
• Mothers’ rooms: Private, fully equipped spaces at Cisco campuses for breastfeeding or pumping, featuring locking doors, comfortable seating, refrigeration, and warm-water sinks.
• Onsite children’s learning centers: LifeConnections Children’s Learning Centers on Cisco campuses in San Jose, California; Bedfont Lakes, United Kingdom; and Bangalore, India, serve employees’ children between 6 weeks and 5 years old and focus on promoting social, emotional, cognitive, physical development, and creativity.
• Expert second medical opinion: Global access to leading physicians for independent reviews of diagnoses or treatment options, helping employees and their family members (including parents and parents-in-law) make informed decisions.
• Support for parents and anyone caring for children: Free one-on-one consultations with child development experts through RethinkCare, plus access to a library of evidence-based education to support children of all abilities and help families navigate challenges like motor skills, screen time, and bullying.
• Support for transgender and nonbinary employees: Dedicated physician advocacy for employees and family members to help navigate the healthcare system.

Time Away

It’s in our DNA to be there for all the moments that matter. In addition to paid vacation and sick time, we offer:

• Days for Me: Four designated days off each year for employees to step away from their screens, invest in themselves, and do what makes them feel whole and happy.
• Paid time off for life’s big (and small) moments: A paid day off for each employee to celebrate their birthday, time off to welcome a new grandchild, and flexibility for life’s milestones.
• Time2Give: 10 paid days off each year for employees to volunteer for a nonprofit or school of their choice.
• Critical Time Off: Paid time to allow employees to step away and focus on what matters most when the unexpected happens, from bereavement to natural disasters.
• Voting leave: A paid day off to participate in major national elections, allowing employees to fulfill their civic duties more easily.
• End-of-year shutdown: A year-end shutdown, giving employees worldwide a shared opportunity to disconnect from the office and spend quality time with friends and family.

Employee Expenses

For information on total employee-related expenses (salaries and benefits) by fiscal year, refer to the Data and Assurance page.