120 Employee Wellness Statistics For 2025

Employee wellness is a critical issue for businesses of all sizes in today’s competitive and demanding workplace. Employee health and satisfaction have been linked to increased productivity, better engagement, and higher profitability. Having access to the latest employee wellness statistics can help employers understand the impact of creating a healthier work environment and aid in building an employee wellness program or plan.

Employee wellness covers a wide range of topics such as physical fitness, mental health, work-life balance and so much more. This article will explore a variety of employee wellness statistics and how they can impact an organization’s success.

11 Benefits Of Employee Wellness Program Statistics 

• Fifty-six percent of employees had fewer sick days because of wellness programs. (Zippia, 2023)     
• Eighty-nine percent of employees don’t feel their company truly cares about their well-being. (Gallup, 2024) 
• Over half of best-in-class large employers have well-being initiatives and seventy percent incentivize program participation. (Gallagher, 2024) 
• Seventy-two percent of employers saw a reduction in healthcare costs after implementing a wellness program. (Zippia, 2023)  
• The average return-on-investment (ROI) for employee wellness programs is six-to-one. (Zippia, 2023)   
• Ninety percent of employers believe financial wellness programs are very or somewhat effective. (Shortlister, 2022)   
• Eighty-nine percent of employees who work for companies with wellness programs report being happy with their job and would recommend it to others. (Zippia, 2023)    
• Companies with corporate wellness programs report a 16% increase in employee satisfaction. (Gitnux, 2023)  
• For every dollar spent on corporate wellness programs, companies can expect an average return of $3.27 in lower healthcare costs. (Gitnux, 2024) 
• Companies with wellness programs report a 20% increase in employee productivity. (Gitnux, 2024) 
• Twenty-nine percent of large firms with wellness program incentives consider these incentives to be “very effective” in achieving employee participation, while another 63% view them as “somewhat effective.” (KFF, 2023) 

15 Employee Mental Health Statistics

Employee mental health is an essential component of overall employee well-being. When employees can maintain healthy and positive mental states, they can take on their roles with confidence and enthusiasm, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction. Employers must create an environment that encourages employees to take care of their mental health, including offering access to resources like counseling and mental health services.

Additionally, employers should promote supportive practices within their workplace such as regular check-ins with employees, flexible work hours, and a collaborative yet stress-free atmosphere. By taking these steps to cultivate an environment of mental health and well-being, employers can help their team members stay engaged and motivated to succeed.

• Seventy-four percent of full-time US employees believe it’s acceptable to talk about mental health at work, yet only 58% feel comfortable doing so. (NAMI Mental Health Poll, 2024) 
• Over half of individuals with mental illness do not receive treatment, often delaying or avoiding help due to fears of discrimination or potential job and income loss. (MHA, 2023)  
• Twenty percent of employees report feeling lonely daily, with workers under 35 reporting higher levels of loneliness compared to their older counterparts. (Gallup, 2024)  
• Ninety-eight percent of employees acknowledge that global trends affect their mental health at work, and 90% believe their employer should address their needs during significant global events. (Headspace, 2024)  
• Ninety-seven percent of employees report that their mental and emotional well-being has suffered due to their manager’s actions in the past year, with 43% citing a lack of understanding of work-life balance and unequal treatment of team members as key contributors. (Headspace, 2024) 
• Twenty-five percent of adults with frequent mental distress are unable to see a doctor due to cost, a 2% increase from the previous report. (MHA, 2024) 
• Sixty-eight percent of workers worry that disclosing a mental health condition would harm their professional reputation. (ResumeLab, 2023)  
• Twenty-three percent of US adults experience a mental illness annually, equivalent to nearly 60 million Americans. (MHA, 2024)  
• Five percent of adults globally experience depression. (WHO, 2023)  
• Fifty-two percent of employees have experienced job-related burnout in the past year, and 37% reported feeling so overwhelmed that it hindered their job performance. (NAMI, 2024)   
• Seventy-three percent of employees believe a low salary contributes to poor mental health. (ResumeLab, 2023)   
• One-third of employees say that taking mental health days off from work would positively impact their well-being. (ResumeLab, 2023)  
• Fifty-five percent of employees believe their employer overestimates the mental healthiness of the work environment, and 43% fear negative consequences if they disclose a mental health condition at work. (APA, 2023) 
• Fifteen percent of employees report that their employer provides company-wide mental health days, and just 12% have on-site personnel who have received mental health training. (APA, 2023)  
• Ninety-one percent of companies plan to invest more in mental health solutions in 2024. (Wellable, 2024) 

13 Employee Financial Wellness Statistics

Employee financial wellness is a key factor in overall employee well-being. When employees have a better understanding of their finances and have access to financial resources, they are more likely to be productive, engaged, and successful in the workplace.

A comprehensive financial wellness program can include education about budgeting, savings, debt repayment options, retirement planning, and other topics to help employees understand and manage their finances. Having a financial wellness program in place is not only beneficial for employees but also for employers—it provides an opportunity to show employees that they are valued and supported, leading to greater morale and productivity.

• Ninety-one percent of employees are stressed about their finances, driven by inflation, high cost of living, higher interest rates, a potential recession, and market volatility. (BrightPlan, 2024) 
• Ninety-two percent of leaders feel their company provides the financial guidance, support, and tools necessary for employees to reach their life goals, while only 56% of employees share this sentiment. 
• Only 19% of workers are on track for retirement. (Bank of America, 2024)   
• Sixty-three percent of US adults report that inflation has caused financial strain, with 17% experiencing severe hardship impacting their standard of living, 46% facing moderate hardship without affecting their living standards, and 37% reporting no hardship from inflation. (Gallup, 2024) 
• Fifty-nine percent of employees say that compensation isn’t keeping up with the rising cost of living expenses. Forty-nine percent report difficulty in meeting household expenses on time each month (up from 41% the previous year). Among those with credit card balances, 44% struggle to make minimum payments on time each month (up from 37% the previous year). (PwC, 2023) 
• Seventy-four percent of employees seek financial guidance when faced with decisions, crises, or life events. (PwC, 2023) 
• Financial stress negatively impacts employee well-being, with workers reporting a decline in their mental health (72%), social health (65%), and physical health (62%). (BrightPlan, 2024) 
• Sixty-eight percent of employees have utilized their employer’s services to improve their personal finances. (PwC, 2023)  
• Seventy-three percent of financially stressed employees are drawn to employers that prioritize their financial well-being. (PwC, 2023)   
• Fifty-four percent of employees report that financial stress impacts their productivity, and 52% say it affects their engagement at work. (BrightPlan, 2024)   
• Employees lose an average of seven hours of productivity weekly due to financial stress, costing employers $183 billion annually. (BrightPlan, 2024)   
• Seventy percent of US workers say they would change jobs for better benefits. (The Economist, 2024) 
• Thirty percent of organizations plan to invest more in financial wellness programs in 2024, a significant decline from 65% in 2023. (Wellable, 2024)  

12 Employee Anxiety Statistics

Employee anxiety can have a serious impact on overall employee well-being. When employees are feeling anxious, their morale and motivation levels tend to be lower, which can lead to reduced productivity and engagement in the workplace. Anxiety can also result in frequent absences from work due to physical or psychological ailments, further reducing productivity and financial losses for companies.

Companies should strive to create a supportive work environment where employees feel safe and secure, as this helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and can improve overall employee well-being. Organizations must take proactive steps toward addressing the issues that may be causing employee anxiety to promote a positive and productive workplace.

• Seventy-six percent of US workers report that workplace stress negatively impacts their personal relationships. (ADAA, 2024) 
• Stress and anxiety negatively impact 56% of employee workplace performance. (ADAA, 2021)  
• Approximately one million Americans miss work each day due to stress. (ADAA, 2024) 
• Almost half of employees claim that anxiety interferes with their professional connections, prompting 73% to avoid social settings, 53% to get irritable, and 43% to avoid engaging in meetings. (ADAA, 2021)  
• Forty-four percent of employees manage stress at work by getting more sleep most commonly. Other ways people cope with work-related stress include drinking caffeine more often (31%), smoking (27%), exercising regularly (25%), taking medication (23%), and consuming alcohol in larger quantities than usual (20%). (ADAA, 2021)  
• Four in 10 employees constantly deal with stress or anxiety, however, less than one in 10 have been diagnosed with an actual anxiety disorder. (ADAA, 2021)  
• Three-fourths of employees state that work-related stress affects their personal lives; this is more prevalent with men (83%) than women (72%). (ADAA, 2021)  
• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published guidance recommending that doctors assess all patients under 65 for anxiety signs and symptoms. (NPR, 2022)   
• 15 million American adults are affected by Social anxiety disorder—often marked by intense feelings of fear or discomfort in social situations.  (ADAA, 2022)  
• The primary sources of work-related stress are: meeting deadlines (55%), working with others (53%), managing staff (50%), and addressing problems that come up (49%). (ADAA, 2021)  
• Forty-six percent of women report increased eating in response to stress (versus 27% of men) and 44% of women report talking to friends and family about work-related stress (versus 21% of men). More men engage in sex as a form of destressing from work (19% versus 10%), while others resort to illegal drug use (12% versus 2%). Therefore, women and men don’t just have diverse stressors, but they also manage their anxiety differently. (ADAA, 2021)  
• Only half of employees have talked to their employer about stress. The top reasons preventing them from doing so are: fear their boss would think they are not interested or capable (34%), scared of being labeled “weak” (31%), thinking it could affect promotion opportunities (22%), worrying it would go in their file (22%), and fear of being laughed at or not taken seriously (20%). (ADAA, 2021)

8 Employee Substance Abuse Statistics

Employee substance abuse can negatively affect overall employee well-being. Substance abuse can lead to physical ailments, emotional distress, and cognitive impairment that can impair an employee’s performance and limit their ability to perform their job duties. This can result in decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and potential health risks for other employees and themselves.

Additionally, substance abuse can create an increase in workplace conflicts and stress, leading to an unpleasant work environment for all. It is important for employers to be aware of the potential implications of substance abuse on employee well-being and to implement policies that support employees who need assistance with substance abuse issues. By providing access to resources such as education, counseling, and employee assistance programs, employers can support their employees in maintaining a safe and productive work environment.

• Eighteen percent of US adults reported having a substance use disorder in the past year, 77% did not receive treatment. (MHA, 2024) 
• Employees who abuse substances are absent from work almost 5 weeks a year, compared to the average of 3 weeks per year. (Valley Spring Recovery, 2024) 
• Twenty percent of people have used marijuana for recreation while at their place of work during working hours. In fact, close to 5% of those surveyed admit to using it daily and just over 13% say they use it more than once a month. (American Addiction Centers, 2022)  
• Thirty-seven percent of employees report that work has contributed to significant mental health challenges, including substance use and suicidal thoughts. (Headspace, 2024)  
• Nearly 24 million (19.8%) US adults with full-time employment experienced a substance use disorder in the past year, compared to 6.2 million (19.7%) of part-time employees. (SAMHSA, 2023)  
• Nearly a quarter of people have done drugs or drank alcohol while on the job. (American Addiction Centers, 2024)  
• $81 billion is lost in profits annually due to drug use in the workplace. (Harvard, 2017)  
• Sixty-six percent of people admit to using alcohol on the job and over 22% confess they have used marijuana while working, highlighting that many people turn to alcohol and drugs to get through their shifts at work. Other popular substances include Oxycontin or Vicodin (used recreationally by 10%), codeine, Adderall, and Ritalin (hovering around 8%). (American Addiction Centers, 2024)  

10 Employee Engagement Statistics

Employee engagement is a powerful tool that can be used to boost morale and create an environment of overall well-being. When employees feel engaged, they are more likely to be productive, creative, and motivated. Additionally, when employees understand the importance of their role and how it contributes to the overall success of their organization, they are more likely to remain loyal and motivated.

Employee engagement is an essential component of a healthy, happy, and productive workforce. By creating an environment that encourages engagement, organizations can cultivate a sense of belonging amongst employees and make great strides in achieving their organizational goals.

• About one-third (32%) of employees are engaged in their work and workplace. (Gallup, 2024)  
• Sixteen percent of employees are actively disengaged at work, potentially harming their work environment through negative attitudes or actions. (Gallup, 2024) 
• Thirty-seven percent of fully remote workers are engaged, 36% of hybrid workers are engaged, and only 28% of fully on-site workers are engaged. (Gallup, 2023) 
• Sixty-nine percent of employees say they would work harder if they felt more recognized for their work efforts. (Workleap, 2024)  
• Eighty-nine percent of Human Resource professionals state that ongoing feedback and clarity on expectations is essential for increasing employee engagement. (Zippia, 2022)  
• Eighty-nine percent of employees with wellness programs are more engaged and happier with their job. (Zippia, 2023)  
• Forty-seven percent of US employees rate career advancement opportunities as very important for their engagement and satisfaction. (Zippia, 2023)  
• Eighty-nine percent of HR professionals agree that regular feedback, check-ins, and recognition are key drivers of employee engagement. (Zippia, 2023) 
• Highly engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave their employer. (Zippia, 2023) 
• Fifty-eight percent of employees say that complacent leadership is the top reason they feel disengaged. (Zippia, 2023)  

18 Employee Stress & Burnout Statistics

Employee stress and burnout can have serious negative impacts on employee well-being. When employees feel overwhelmed or unable to manage their workload, it can lead to feelings of burnout and lack of motivation. This can cause physical and mental health problems for employees and decrease job satisfaction. Employers should take steps to ensure their employees are not overworked or feeling burned out on the job, as this will help to ensure a healthier, more productive workplace.

• Fifty-nine percent of employees feel stressed at work most of the time. (Indeed, 2024) 
• Employees in companies with poor management practices are nearly 60% more likely to experience stress compared to those in well-managed environments. (Gallup, 2024)  
• Fifty-eight percent of workers globally feel they’re constantly connected or available for work, with one in three frequently distracted by their devices and 32% reporting fatigue from being online for work. (Calm, 2024)  
• Ninety-eight percent of human resource professionals have felt burnt out from work, and 80% were willing to leave their jobs in the past year. (Workvivo, 2022)  
• Ninety percent of employees report less burnout when their employer uses a recognition-based wellness program. In fact, they’re also up to twice as likely to have a positive outlook on their lives and future. (Workhuman, 2024)  
• Employees who receive appropriate recognition at work are over 50% less likely to report frequent or constant burnout. (Workhuman, 2024) 
• Seventy-six percent of US employees report that workplace stress impacts their personal relationships. (American Institute of Stress, 2024)  
• Forty-seven percent of employees and 66% of CEOs report that most or all of their stress originates from work rather than personal life. (Headspace, 2024)  
• Seventy-seven percent of employees in a study report that stress has negatively impacted their physical health and 37% report that it has contributed to severe mental health issues, including substance abuse or suicidal ideation. (Headspace, 2024)  
• Thirty-six percent of workers state that their organizations have nothing in place to help prevent employee burnout. (Thrive My Way, 2024)  
• Three-quarters of employees feel burnt out, citing heavy workloads (43%), lack of resources (37%), micromanagement (37%), and toxic work environments (35%) as the leading causes. (Ringover, 2023)  
• 44% of employees experience physical fatigue from work-related stress, 36% experience cognitive weariness, and 32% experience emotional exhaustion. These physiological effects result in decreases in critical areas of their life, such as lack of interest, motivation, or energy (26%) and lack of effort at work (19%). (Zippia, 2023)  
• Over five work hours are lost in productivity weekly to employees thinking about their stressors. (American Institute of Stress, 2024)  
• The annual cost of voluntary turnover due to burnout is 15% to 20% of payroll budgets. That means employee well-being amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars each year. (Workhuman, 2024)  
• For every 10,000 employees, there is the potential to lose up to $20 million due to low well-being and its negative effect on productivity. This worldwide cost of employee burnout adds up to a whopping $322 billion in terms of lost productivity and turnover. (Workhuman, 2024)   
• If employees are burned out, they aren’t going to be performing their best at work. In fact, data shows that they are 63% more likely to not show up for work at all and more than two times as likely to call in sick or look for a new job. (Workhuman, 2024)  
• Employees who receive the right recognition at work are up to 50% less likely to report being burned out always or very often. (Workhuman, 2024)  
• Sixty-six percent of employers plan to invest more in stress management and resilience programs in 2024. (Wellable, 2024) 

6 Employee Mindfulness/Meditation Statistics

Mindfulness and meditation can be powerful tools for promoting employee well-being. Mindfulness training can reduce stress, improve focus, promote positive thinking, and increase emotional resilience. By encouraging employees to take part in mindfulness and meditation practices, employers can help create a healthier workplace culture that encourages creativity and productivity, as well as reduces risks associated with burnout.

• Meditation improves anxiety levels 60% of the time. (Project Meditation, 2022)  
• 25% of meditators experience adverse effects including panic attacks, depression, and dissociation. This applies particularly to those predisposed towards engaging in processes related to mindfulness (self-observation, psychological distancing, threat attendance, and more). (BBC, 2021)  
• Approximately 275 million people meditate worldwide. (Mindfulness Box, 2024)  
• Practicing meditation for only four days can increase your attention span. (National Library of Medicine, 2019)  
• There is an 87% risk reduction of hospitalization for coronary heart disease for regular meditators. (The Good Body, 2023)  
• 94% of adults who practice yoga do it to improve their overall wellness, as it has a plethora of physical benefits like managing stress, improving concentration and focus, building self-confidence, and increasing fitness. (NCCIH, 2023)  

4 Exercise/Walking Statistics

Regular exercise regimes combined with walking can help to improve employee well-being. Exercise increases endorphins, which helps to reduce stress and improve mood. Walking can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and improve cognitive performance. Therefore, incorporating and encouraging exercise and walking into an employee’s daily routine can provide numerous benefits to their physical and mental health.

• 10,000 steps daily isn’t necessary for significant health benefits—walking just 4,500 steps a day can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and dementia. (Mayo Clinic, 2024)  
• 40% of seniors (65 years +) reported reduced physical activity and less time spent on their feet since 2020. (University of Michigan, 2022)  
• Those who walk for 30 to 60 minutes daily have a 33% lower risk of mortality compared to those who walk less. (NIH, 2022)  
• The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) was established in 2018, with the goal of reducing global levels of physical inactivity by 15% by 2030. However, most nations have only adopted two of the GAPPA’s twenty steps. Only 74 of the 91 countries that have a national action plan to reduce physical inactivity are “operational”. This sluggish and inconsistent implementation has resulted in little progress and, if nothing is done, could cost millions of lives and billions of dollars. (World Economic Forum, 2022)  

5 Employee Caregiving Wellness Statistics

Employee caregiving can have a positive impact on overall employee well-being. It plays a key role in creating an environment of support and understanding for employees and their families. Regularly engaging in caregiving activities, such as providing flexible working hours, childcare services, and other family-care benefits can help employees feel valued and supported, resulting in improved job satisfaction and morale.

Additionally, caregiving initiatives have been linked to reductions in stress, anxiety, and absenteeism—all of which contribute to increased productivity and a healthier workplace. Ultimately, investing in employee caregiving is a crucial step in helping to create a more positive work environment.

• Forty-one percent of caregivers report low overall well-being, 32% more than non-caregivers. (Guardian, 2023). 
• Eleven percent of businesses now offer childcare, up from just 5.5% pre-pandemic. (The Wall Street Journal, 2023). 
• Sixty-eight percent of mothers pause their careers to spend more time with their children, realizing motherhood is more important than work. (Mother Untitled, 2023) 
• Flexible work arrangements are the top priority for 85% of stay-at-home moms who plan to return to work. (Mother Untitled, 2023) 
• Due to being a caregiver, working females may go through more economic hardships than males. Sixteen percent of females tend to make different work arrangements like having a job with less demand (versus 6% of males), 12% quit their job entirely (versus 3% of males), and 7% lose benefits from their current place of employment (versus 3% of males). This highlights that working females may go through more economic hardships than males due to being a caregiver. (Family Caregiver Alliance)  

5 Interesting Employee Wellness Statistics

• Forty-nine percent of HR and benefits leaders believe that incorporating AI tools in the workplace will positively influence employee mental health. (Calm, 2024)  
• Eighty percent of companies that gauge employee happiness are more likely to have employees stay for another year. Surprisingly, only half of businesses actively measure worker satisfaction. (Indeed, 2022)  
• Vigorous activity for 75 minutes or moderate activity for 150 minutes may reduce the risk of death from breast cancer by 14%. In one study, the most active women had an estimated 44% reduced risk of death. (World Cancer Research Fund, 2022)   
• Employees allocate 65% of the time gained from less commuting hours towards engaging in leisure activities (+2.30 hours). (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022)   
• Organizations can lose up to $900,000 per week from absenteeism and lost productivity due to political friction. (BetterUp, 2024) 

7 Employee Wellness Industry Investment Statistics

• Forty-four percent of companies plan to invest more in employee wellness benefits in 2024, 51% anticipate the same level of investment, and only 4% expect a decrease in investment. (Wellable, 2024)
• Investing More
  • In 2024, the benefits that will attract more employers’ investments include mental health (91%), stress management and resilience tools (66%), telemedicine (65%), mindfulness and meditation programs (55%), and lifestyle spending accounts (52%). (Wellable, 2024)
• Investing Less
  • On-site fitness classes (59%), biometric screenings (46%), free healthy food/stocked kitchens (41%), health fairs (33%), and on-demand fitness classes (32%) ranked the highest in terms of the percentage of employers expecting to invest less. (Wellable, 2024)
• Forty percent of companies plan to invest more in weight management programs in 2024, a 15 percentage-point uptick from 2023. (Wellable, 2024)
• Fifteen percent of companies report increased investments in health risk assessments in 2024, nearly doubling from 7% in 2023. Biometric screenings have seen a five percentage-point uptick in this same period. (Wellable, 2024)
• Mindfulness and meditation (74% in 2023 vs. 55% in 2024), stress management and resilience (77% in 2023 vs. 66% in 2024), and sleep management (20% in 2023 vs. 12% in 2024) are among the supplemental mental health solutions seeing decreased investments compared to last year. (Wellable, 2024)
• Ninety-four percent of brokers report that some or all of their employer clients invest in rewards and incentives to optimize their wellness programs. (Wellable, 2024)

6 Influencers On Employer Wellness Benefits Decisions Statistics

• Eighty-six percent of companies say that the rising cost of benefits is significantly influential when making employee benefits decisions. (Wellable, 2024)
• Sixty-four percent of employers are influenced by the desire to create benefits plans that will set them apart from competition. (Wellable, 2024)
• 54% of employers are concerned with aligning benefits with employee interests. (Wellable, 2024)
• Forty-four percent of companies are significantly influenced by the ROI (return on investment) from benefit changes. (Wellable, 2024)
• Forty-one percent of employers say macroeconomic conditions are an important factor when making benefits decisions. (Wellable, 2024)
• Thirty-nine percent of companies view diversity, equity, and inclusion as significantly influential in benefits decisions. (Wellable, 2024)

This article was last updated on December 11, 2024