It’s no secret that employee wellness efforts have become widespread in the workplace. These initiatives aren’t just a trend, the data shows that there are significant benefits for both the organization and the employee when wellness is embraced.
We have collected 20 of the top research-based statistics around employee wellness and well-being programs.
Key Takeaways
- Wellness initiatives are now the norm and are often expected in the workplace
- Employees who embrace wellness initiatives have better workplace outcomes
- Investing in wellness leads to 6:1 ROI and lowered absenteeism
- There is an emerging gap between the amount of empathy employers think they are giving and what their employees receive
- Employee engagement surveys and employee survey platforms are tools employers can use to close the empathy gap
Wellness is the New Norm
Just a few years ago wellness was primarily seen as something that should be handled by the individual rather than the responsibility of their organization. In 2022, wellness initiatives are expected, and employees are holding their employers accountable for their effort.
- More than 9 in 10 organizations offer at least one wellness incentive. (HBR, 2019)
- 70% of employers have improved their physical environments to encourage healthy behaviors. (Forbes, 2019)
- About 87% of employees said they consider health and wellness offerings when choosing an employer. (Forbes, 2013)
- 91% of employees in organizations run by executives who support wellbeing initiatives believe they are motivated to achieve their best at work. (American Psychological Association, 2017)
- 87% of employees expect support from employers in achieving work-life balance. (PR Newswire, 2017)
Workplace Outcomes Thrive with Wellness
When employees feel taken care of, both mentally and physically, they can put their best foot forward at work. Companies who acknowledge and treat their teams like people reap the benefits. Employees feel the support and respond with increased engagement, loyalty, and intent to stay.
- More than 9 in 10 workers say they feel more motivated at their job if their leaders support well-being efforts. (APA, 2016)
- 70% of employees enrolled in wellness programs have reported higher job satisfaction than those not enrolled in the companies’ program. (Aflac, 2019)
- Employee morale is cited as the most improved (54%) metric from implementing wellness plans. (Hub International, 2017)
- 89% of workers at companies that support well-being initiatives are more likely to recommend their company as a good place to work. (Forbes, 2019)
- Over 80% of employees whose employers are engaged in their wellness say they enjoy work. (Zippia, 2022)
- Of those, about 85% say they intend to stay at their jobs.
- In contrast, of those whose employers aren’t engaged in their wellness, only about 40% say they enjoy work, and 58% say they intend to stay at their current company.
Wellness provides ROI
Oftentimes organizations see wellness as something that is necessary to benefit their employees but doesn’t really offer them a return. While it is true that offering a solid wellness plan does take effort, more companies are noting a growing return on their investment when it comes to increasing productivity and lowering absenteeism and healthcare costs.
- Companies with highly successful health and productivity initiatives generate 11% more revenue per employee, 1.8 fewer days absent per employee per year, and 28% higher shareholder returns. (Drtracygapin.com, 2020)
- 60% of respondents reported that workplace wellness programs reduced their organization’s health care costs. (US Chamber, 2016)
- For every dollar spent on wellness programs, the company saves $5.82 in lower employee absenteeism costs. (ISDH)
- Wellness programs have been shown to reduce absenteeism by 14-19%. (Zippia, 2022)
- Companies that provide wellness programs see a six-to-one return on investment (ROI) on average. (Zippia, 2022)
- This was mainly seen in reduced medical/health care costs and lower absenteeism rates, saving companies money and offsetting the cost of wellness programs.
The Empathy Gap
Studies are finding that employees are looking for empathy from their organizations and supervisors. There seems to be a disconnect between the amount of empathy employers feel they are providing and the amount that their employees perceive they receive. Working to close this gap will provide the best outcomes for all involved.
- 96% of employees believe showing empathy is an important way to advance employee retention. (Forbes, 2019)
- 92% of CEOs feel their organization is empathetic.
- Only 50% of their employees say their CEO is empathetic.
Conclusion
Employee wellness initiatives are the new norm in the workplace and should be embraced from the top down. When developing your strategy, consider creating both mental and physical wellness programs to support a wide range of employees. Try to get more employees involved in company wellness programs so that you can reap the benefits of better workplace outcomes such as increased motivation and productivity. Consider collecting direct input from your team through survey feedback to take their opinions and suggestions into account when developing your plans. One of the most important pieces to remember is that taking care of your people pays off. Investing in wellness can lead to a 6-to-1 return on investment on average through lowered absenteeism and reduced healthcare costs. Start supporting your team today and watch as your workforce flourishes.
