EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A recent survey by Wellhub of over 5,000 full-time WELLBEING IS A PRIORITY FOR EMPLOYEES
employees reveals that employee wellbeing is no
longer a mere perk—it’s a fundamental expectation.
As employees grapple with their wellbeing and financial
As talent management becomes increasingly
limitations, they’re increasingly looking to their employers for
competitive, integrating a robust wellness program
support. And they’re not afraid to walk away if they don’t get it.
into your benefits package is crucial for attracting
A staggering four out of five workers now value their wellbeing
and retaining top talent.
as much as their salary and will only consider working for
companies that actively support their wellness.
THE STATE OF EMPLOYEE WELLNESS

There’s a striking disconnect between how employees

perceive their wellbeing and the reality beneath the surface.
While 63% of workers confidently describe their overall
wellbeing as “good” or “thriving,” the underlying numbers
tell a different story:

• Fitness: Only 54% of employees consider themselves

physically fit.
• Mental Health: Nearly half (47%) admit that work stress
is taking a toll on their mental health.
• Nutrition: Just 40% claim their diet is healthy
or extremely healthy.
• Sleep: An overwhelming 71% of workers report getting less
than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night.

Generational differences add another layer to this wellness

challenge. Even though Gen Z is the generation that is most
actively engaged in mental health practices, they say they Cross-Generational Demand for Wellbeing
struggle most with their mental wellbeing. In contrast, Baby
Boomers say they are doing better mentally but face
While employees of every age expect work-life wellness,
significant physical health challenges.
that sentiment is only increasing with each passing generation:
Nine out of 10 Gen Z and Millennial workers will only consider
Financial strain complicates the path to better wellbeing,
an employer that places a clear emphasis on wellbeing,
as 68% of employees say that financial constraints prevent
compared to eight out of 10 Gen X and Baby Boomer
them from investing in their health.
employees. These younger workers are also more likely than
their older colleagues to consider leaving a company that does
not focus on wellbeing and feel strongly that their wellbeing
at work is as important as their salary.

It is critical to bake these preferences into any long-term

talent management strategy. Millennials and Gen Z workers
are already the largest part of the workforce, and stand
to be for the foreseeable future. It’s companies with a
dedicated wellbeing program that are pulling ahead in the
ever-intensifying tussle for talent. And the generational gaps
in wellbeing underscore the importance of holistic, flexible
wellness programs that address the diverse needs of
a multigenerational workforce.

WORK LIFE WELLNESS 2025 2

WELLBEING IS CRITICAL TO TALENT MANAGEMENT This boost in employee health translates directly into business
benefits, as healthier employees are more productive, take
fewer sick days, and are less likely to suffer from burnout.
This resounding demand for personal wellbeing means Wellness programs also improve employee-company
competitive pay alone won’t pull top talent in the door. relationships: 84% of employees with wellness programs feel
Companies have to fulfill the quality-of-life promises they adequately compensated, compared to 61% without, and 79%
make during recruitment or risk employees quickly seeking believe HR genuinely cares about their wellbeing—this drops to
opportunities elsewhere. 45% without such programs.

The survey results show that providing comprehensive Wellhub in particular significantly enhances employee
wellbeing programs are an effective way to both meet these wellbeing and satisfaction. Employees using Wellhub are four
expectations and improve business outcomes. Employees with times more likely to engage in wellness programs, with 75%
wellness programs report significantly better mental, physical, reporting improvements in mental health, physical fitness, and
and overall health than workers without wellbeing support. overall wellness. This also strengthens employee-employer
Sixty-three percent of workers with a wellness program, relationships, as Wellhub users are nearly three times more
for example, say they are doing well mentally, compared likely to rate their benefits package as “excellent” and report
to only 48% without. And 60% of employees with a wellness higher satisfaction with compensation and company culture.
program are doing well physically, far outpacing the 45% This can lead to lower turnover and reduced healthcare costs,
of employees without wellness programs who report positive freeing HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
physical wellbeing.

TAKE ACTION

Wellness programs are a strategic business move that

also bolster employee wellbeing and satisfaction.
What could be better?

For more detailed insights and actionable strategies you can

use to implement effective wellness programs, download the
full report!

WORK LIFE WELLNESS 2025 3

 Global Key Findings
We surveyed 5,000+ employees globally to identify what workers want from a benefits package so HR leaders can make
the most of their budget.

KEY STATS

88% 66%
of employees believe
of employees value their
that their HR department
wellbeing at work just as
genuinely cares about
much as their salary.
their wellbeing.

89% 68%
of employees will only
of employees say their
consider companies that
financial situation prevents
place a clear emphasis on
them from investing in
employee wellbeing when
their overall wellbeing.
looking for their next job.

85%
of employees say work

47%
of workers believe stress is degrading their
their employer has a mental wellbeing, making
responsibility to help them it the leading cause of
tend to their wellbeing. emotional health issues
— above inflation, poor
wellbeing, or isolation.

83% 79%
of employees would
consider leaving of employees use
a company that does their wellness program
not focus on employee when offered.
wellbeing.

61% 70%
of employees with a
of employees with
wellness program rated
wellness programs are
their overall benefits
happy at their company
program as top-notch
vs. 36% of those without.
vs. 36% of those without.

KEY TRENDS

Wellness programs
Wellbeing is more
boost employee Worker emphasis on
critical to attracting
satisfaction and offer wellbeing is growing
and retaining talent
desired holistic support with each generation.
than ever before.
in benefit packages.

WORK LIFE WELLNESS 2025 4

 United States Key Findings
In support of our global survey, we surveyed 550+ employees in the United States to identify what workers want from a benefits
package so HR leaders can make the most of their budget.

KEY STATS

85% 76%
of employees believe
of employees value their
that their HR department
wellbeing at work just as
genuinely cares about
much as their salary.
their wellbeing.

86% 69%
of employees will only
of employees say their
consider companies that
financial situation prevents
place a clear emphasis on
them from investing in
employee wellbeing when
their overall wellbeing.
looking for their next job.

78% 50%
of employees say inflation
of workers believe
is degrading their mental
their employer has a
wellbeing, making it the
responsibility to help them
leading cause of emotional
tend to their wellbeing.
health issues.

79% 67%
of employees would
of employees with
consider leaving
wellness programs are
a company that
happy at their company
does not focus on
vs. 51% of those without.
employee wellbeing.

WORK LIFE WELLNESS 2025 5

 Ready to optimize your
workforce wellbeing?
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guidance and even more valuable insights.

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