Well-being is not a fringe benefit. It’s an outcome.
Over the past decade, companies have made significant investments in employee well-being. Gym memberships, mindfulness apps, expanded mental health benefits, resilience training – the programs are real, the intent is genuine, and the spending has been substantial. The global corporate wellness market is now estimated at $50-70 billion, with employers spending hundreds of dollars per employee each year. Approximately 85% of large U.S. employers now offer some form of workplace wellness program. And yet, many organizations are questioning the return. Utilization is inconsistent, and impact has been difficult to measure. Only about one in four employees actively engages with wellness offerings. In some cases, programs are being scaled back or abandoned altogether; almost one-third of employers report reducing investment in certain offerings, including fitness classes and