Exploring the Importance of Wellness in the Workplace for 2025

Introduction

The recently released 2025 State of Work-Life Wellness Report highlights the critical role wellness plays in maintaining mental health among employees. Based on feedback from 5,000 workers across nine countries, the findings reveal significant trends and insights relevant to employers and employees alike.

The Importance of Employee Wellness

Cesar Carvalho, CEO of Wellhub, stated, ‘Our research underscores an unavoidable truth for HR and business leaders: work-related stress is the leading cause of declining mental health for employees across generations. Ignoring this not only impacts individual wellbeing but also carries significant costs for businesses in lost productivity and turnover.’ Carvalho emphasized the need for leaders to prioritize wellness support as a core strategy for building resilient and productive workforces.

Key Findings of the Report

Wellness Benefits and Employee Engagement

Wellness benefits are essential in promoting employee engagement and overall wellbeing. However, access to these benefits remains limited:

• Paid time off and health insurance are the top-used benefits, while wellness programs such as therapy and fitness support are underutilized due to accessibility issues.
• 79% of employees with access to wellness programs actively use them, indicating strong demand. Yet, only 14% have access to fitness support, and merely 11% have access to mindfulness resources.

Generational Differences in Wellness Needs

Generational engagement in wellness varies greatly:

• Gen Z is actively embracing mental wellness practices, with 50% reporting ongoing therapy. In contrast, Baby Boomers show less interest in therapy, with only 24% participating.
• Cost remains a significant barrier for younger generations, highlighting disparities in perceived therapy importance.

The Role of Wellness Programs in Organizations

Companies that prioritize wellness programs report marked improvements in employee wellbeing:

• 69% of employees with a wellness program rate their overall health positively compared to just 53% without one.
• 59% of wellness program participants noticed their health improve over the past year, reflecting the positive impact of such initiatives.

Conclusion

As business leaders navigate the complexities of employee wellbeing, it is clear that wellness initiatives are no longer optional but integral to fostering a thriving workplace culture.