When 76% of U.S. workers report experiencing at least one symptom of a mental health condition, it's clear that health and wellness in the workplace has moved from "nice to have" to business-critical. The traditional approach of offering a gym discount and calling it a day no longer cuts it.

The reality is simpler than you might think: employees who feel supported in their physical and mental health show up differently. They're more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stick around. According to recent McKinsey research, investing in employee health could create $11.7 trillion in global economic value.

Why health and wellness at work matters now more than ever

The cost of ignoring workplace wellness isn't just measured in healthcare costs, though those are substantial. Mental health issues alone cost the global economy around $1 trillion every year. But the real impact shows up in ways that are harder to quantify: disengaged employees, quiet quitting, and teams that lack the energy to innovate.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 84% of workers reported that their workplace conditions had contributed to at least one mental health challenge. That's not a wellness problem—it's a workplace design problem.

The good news? Organizations that prioritize employee well-being see measurable returns. Research from Deloitte shows that companies implementing comprehensive wellness programs can achieve ROI ratios ranging from $1.50 to $3.80 for every dollar invested.

7 ways to promote health and wellness in the workplace

1. Encourage time off and support work-life balance

The simplest wellness initiative is often the most overlooked: actually encouraging employees to use their paid time off.

Here's the reality: when your top performer hasn't taken a vacation in 18 months, that's not dedication—it's a ticking time bomb. Many employees fear taking vacation days will signal they're not committed to their work. This chronic stress builds up, leading to burnout and decreased productivity.

The fix starts at the top. When your CEO posts vacation photos or your VP sets an out-of-office message that actually means they're unavailable, it gives everyone else permission to disconnect. Some companies take it further—IKEA Canada introduced Wellness Days allowing employees to take up to 12 days per year for everything from supporting a family member with illness to simply recharging at home.

The connection to employee satisfaction is direct: when people can recharge, they return with renewed focus and creativity.

2. Provide financial support for physical wellness

Gym memberships and fitness classes represent one of the most common—and effective—approaches to promoting health and wellness in the workplace.

The days of building a corporate gym that sits empty are over. Rather than sinking money into equipment that collects dust, smart organizations now offer stipends that employees can use for the wellness activities they actually want. Your software engineer might spend hers on rock climbing, while your sales director uses his for CrossFit, and your designer invests in a Peloton for 6 AM rides before the kids wake up.

The budget-friendly approach? Partner with local gyms for corporate rates, or subsidize wearable fitness trackers through your employee wellness programs. For remote employees, virtual fitness classes and wellness app subscriptions level the playing field.

The numbers back this up: according to the Center for Disease Control, employees participating in physical wellness programs reduce healthcare costs by an average of $350 per year. The real value shows up in reduced absenteeism and the energy difference between someone who moves their body and someone who doesn't.

3. Make healthy food choices accessible

The quality of food available in your workplace directly impacts employee fitness and overall health throughout the day. When vending machines stock only processed snacks and the nearest lunch option is fast food, you're making it harder for employees to maintain healthy lifestyles.

Picture this: it's 3 PM, energy is crashing, and your team faces a choice between stale donuts in the break room or a trek to find something nutritious. Most people take the path of least resistance—which is exactly why that path should lead to better options.

Start simple: replace sodas with sparkling water, swap candy for mixed nuts and protein bars, stock the fridge with fresh fruit instead of leftover birthday cake. The impact on employee engagement and afternoon energy levels is substantial—and costs less than you'd think.

For companies providing lunch, partner with vendors that emphasize healthy eating with options beyond sad desk salads. Think grain bowls, lean proteins, plenty of vegetables. If your budget doesn't allow for daily meals, consider healthy food delivery stipends or farmer's market vouchers.

4. Prioritize employee well-being through mental health resources

While physical health gets plenty of attention, workplace mental health support often remains underfunded despite being equally critical to overall well-being.

The data reveals an uncomfortable truth: 74% of U.S. workers say it's appropriate to discuss mental health at work, yet only 58% feel comfortable actually doing so. That 16-point gap? That's where people suffer in silence, where productivity quietly erodes, where your best people start browsing job boards.

Start with employee assistance programs that provide confidential counseling services—but don't just offer them, actively promote them. Most employees don't even know these resources exist. Go further by ensuring your health insurance covers mental health care at the same level as physical health services. Telehealth options have made this especially accessible for remote employees who might not have local providers.

Add stress management workshops that teach practical techniques, not just "breathe deeply and think positive thoughts." Flexible work arrangements support mental well-being by acknowledging that someone dealing with a mental health condition might need to work from home on challenging days.

5. Invest in ergonomic furniture and workplace safety

The physical environment where people work directly impacts their mental and physical health. Poor ergonomics don't just cause discomfort—they create chronic issues that compound over time.

Think about someone hunched over a laptop for eight hours, shoulders creeping toward their ears, neck craning forward. By Wednesday, they've got a headache. By Friday, neck pain. By next month, they're on their third doctor's visit. Poor ergonomics lead to back problems, eye strain, and repetitive stress injuries that show up as workers reported increases in sick days and workers' compensation claims.

The solution is straightforward: provide adjustable standing desks that let people alternate positions throughout the day. Invest in quality office chairs with proper lumbar support. When employees physical comfort is supported, they can focus on their work instead of managing discomfort.

For remote and hybrid teams, offer stipends for home office ergonomic equipment—external monitors at eye level to reduce neck strain, ergonomic keyboards, proper lighting. These interventions are among the most cost-effective ways to improve health and reduce absenteeism.

Don't stop at furniture. Good lighting, temperature control, and air quality also fall under workplace health considerations. The physical work environment should support health promotion rather than creating additional stress on the body.

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6. Build a comprehensive wellness program that actually works

The mistake many organizations make is treating health and wellness initiatives as separate, disconnected offerings—a gym discount here, a meditation app there, maybe a fruit bowl in the kitchen. A comprehensive wellness program integrates physical wellness, mental health support, and workplace culture into a holistic approach.

Make wellness part of your organizational culture, not just a line item in the benefits package. When your leadership team actually participates in wellness activities and prioritizes employee well being in decision-making, people notice. It signals that health matters at every level, not just in HR presentations.

Start by asking what your team actually needs through regular employee surveys. Your startup might need mental health resources and flexible schedules more than on-site yoga. Your manufacturing team might benefit most from workplace safety improvements and physical therapy access.

Track what matters: employee satisfaction, retention rates, absenteeism, healthcare costs, and productivity. According to Mental Health America's 2024 research, workplace cultures built on trust and support dramatically improve employees' experiences of belonging and psychological safety.

Create environmental supports that remove friction from healthy choices—walking meeting routes, standing meeting areas, quiet spaces for mental health breaks. Partner with the surrounding community too. Local health providers, gyms, and wellness centers can extend your health benefits beyond the workplace.

7. Tailor wellness strategies for remote and hybrid workers

The shift to remote and hybrid work has changed how companies approach employee wellness programs. When your team is distributed across time zones and home offices, traditional office-based wellness offerings don't work.

Remote employees face a particular set of challenges: the isolation of working alone, the blurred boundaries when your bedroom is also your office, and the surprising reduction in physical activity that comes from eliminating even a short commute. That walk from the parking lot? It mattered more than you realized.

Provide stipends that remote workers can use at local gyms, coworking spaces, or for home fitness equipment—whatever fits their life and location. Virtual wellness programs need substance: live online fitness classes at multiple time slots, mental health apps with actual licensed therapists, teletherapy services that make counseling services accessible regardless of location.

The biggest challenge? Isolation. Many employees report this as the hardest part of remote work. Regular team gatherings—whether virtual coffee chats or quarterly in-person meetups—support social well being and reduce feelings of disconnection. Building effective hybrid workplace strategies requires balancing flexibility with meaningful in-person experiences that actually bring people together.

Creating a workplace where employees want to show up

At its core, promoting wellness in the workplace isn't about any single program or benefit. It's about creating an environment where physical and mental health are supported and where the work itself doesn't systematically undermine wellbeing.

The companies seeing the greatest success with workplace health initiatives view wellness as a core business strategy. They understand that supporting employees to improve health leads to lower healthcare costs, reduced turnover, higher productivity, and more innovation.

In today's competitive talent market, where 81% of workers say they'll look for employers that support mental health, wellness isn't optional. Companies need flexibility and should iterate on workplace models like products, testing and refining based on actual results. Whether you're supporting a fully in-office team, a remote workforce, or a hybrid model, the goal is the same: create conditions where people can do their best work while maintaining their health. Positive company culture starts with prioritizing employee wellbeing at every level of the organization.