Insights from Wellhub’s work-life wellness report
Finding a balance between well-being and a career can be challenging. Planners must understand their attendees’ wellness needs and intentionally incorporate them into events.
Wellhub recently released a report, “The State of Work-Life Wellness,” highlighting the benefits of integrating wellness into the workplace.
Meeting planners can use wellness as a vital tool for their teams and attendees. By embedding wellness into their work environment and events, they can drive engagement and satisfaction on a larger scale.
Smart Meetings explored the report to determine which aspects are most relevant to meeting planners, from their immediate teams to event execution.
Worker Well-Being
According to Wellhub’s findings, 47% of 5,000 full-time workers polled stated that work stress negatively impacts their mental health.
The study highlights the significant role of well-being programs. Employees with access to well-being programs report 16% higher overall well-being. Sixty-nine percent of employees who use these programs feel optimistic about their well-being, compared to 53% of workers without a wellness program.
Among employees whose company provides a mental wellness program, 59% reported improved well-being over the past year. In contrast, only 36% of employees without a mental wellness program reported the same.
Workplace Retention
Adding wellness programs can improve both events and employee retention.
Eighty-five percent of workers believe their employer is responsible for supporting their overall wellness. Eighty-three percent of employees said they would consider leaving their position if their company did not prioritize well-being—a significant increase from 68% in 2022.
Read More: Multigenerational Magic: Engaging Diverse Audiences at Events
Turnover is costly for businesses. Incorporating wellness initiatives can increase team satisfaction, reduce turnover and keep employees aligned with company goals.
As Millennials and Gen Z become the dominant workforce, wellness is no longer optional—it is an essential component of a business model. Aligning with employees’ expectations fosters a strong workplace culture and ensures a productive, committed team.
The ROI of Wellness
The big question: What does an organization gain by prioritizing wellness?
Companies see $2 in return for every $1 invested in wellness programs.
Read More: Wellness on a Budget: Five Cost-Effective Ideas to Elevate Wellness in Your Meetings
Ninety-five percent of companies that track their wellness initiatives report positive results.
Ninety-eight percent of companies tracking wellness programs have noted productivity, engagement and employee retention improvements.
Wellness initiatives contribute to lower absenteeism, increased productivity and improved performance, directly impacting a company’s bottom line.
Wellness = Productivity
How productive are you at work when you have a head cold? Not very. The same applies to mental and physical well-being. Engagement and productivity suffer when employees or event attendees are not at their best.
For events, offering wellness-focused programs such as mindfulness, meditation, therapy or counseling services, along with flexible work arrangements, can enhance concentration, improve emotional well-being and boost job satisfaction.
These wellness elements can also serve as interactive, engaging activities for event attendees.
Taking Action
Implementing wellness initiatives within a team or event setting does not have to be complicated.
For internal teams, start with:
- Standing desks
- Walking breaks
- Midday stretch sessions
- Biweekly meditation sessions
For events, planners can:
- Schedule mindfulness breaks between sessions to help attendees reset.
- Invite a wellness-focused speaker or panel to provide actionable strategies.
- Create quiet zones or wellness lounges to allow attendees to recharge.
These simple steps can significantly impact employee well-being and attendee engagement.
Food for Thought
To snack or not to snack?
According to the report, 58% of employees say their job makes it harder to eat healthy.
If you’re incorporating a snack table at your event or in the office, consider offering fruit, nuts and healthy snacks instead of pastries and processed foods.
To encourage sustainable, healthy habits, set up a hydration station with infused water options and provide reusable water bottles.
