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.

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.

• Ninety-one percent of companies plan to invest more in mental health solutions in 2024. (Wellable, 2024)
• Fifty-eight percent of employees do not feel comfortable talking about their mental health at work. (The Harris Poll, 2022)
• Twenty-two percent of respondents in a study of over 45,000 people avoided getting help for mental health symptoms because they were afraid of the social stigma. (Sapien Labs, 2022)
• Eighty-seven percent of employees feel dread at least once a month, with almost half experiencing it weekly. The problem worsens for leadership, with 55% of executives and 59% of CEOs reporting dread every week. (Headspace, 2023)
• Ninety-seven percent of employees cite traumatic events, such as those related to war, violence, or economic instability, as a significant influencer of their mental health. (Headspace, 2023)
• Negative managerial behaviors such as disrespect for working hours (42%), ignoring life outside of work (40%), and setting an unsustainable workload (38%) contribute to employee mental health issues. (Headspace, 2023) 
• Forty-two percent of US adults with a diagnosable mental health condition report that they can’t afford access to the treatment they need. (Forbes, 2023)
• Sixty-eight percent of workers worry that disclosing a mental health condition would harm their professional reputation. (ResumeLab, 2023)
• Fifty-three million US adults experience some form of mental health disorder every year, with anxiety disorder being the most common (19%). (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2023)
• The percentage of adults in the United States facing depression symptoms increased by approximately 20% during the early months of social distancing. (The Lancet, 2022)
• A 21% increase in burnout intensity was reported between December 2020 and July 2021, accompanied by a 17% growth in those experiencing physical symptoms of stress. (meQuilibrium, 2022) 
• 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)
• Employers rate employees’ mental health and well-being 22% more favorably than employees themselves. (Claro, 2023)
• Seventy percent of workplaces celebrate mental health awareness days but only 30% offer mental health support that is considered good or outstanding by employees. (Claro, 2023)

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.

• Sixty percent of full-time employees are stressed about their finances, a higher percentage than during the pandemic. (PwC, 2023)
• Seventy-six percent of C-suite and HR leaders report financial stress. (BrightPlan, 2023)
• Only 40% of workers feel confident about saving enough for retirement. (Betterment, 2023) 
• Forty-four percent of employees report that inflation has had a severe impact on their financial situation over the past year. (PwC, 2023)
• 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)
• Most employees dealing with financial stress experience negative impacts on their mental health (72%) and physical health (60%). (BrightPlan, 2023)
• Sixty-eight percent of employees have utilized their employer’s services to improve their personal finances. (PwC, 2023)
• Seventy percent of employees stated that financial wellness programs decrease stress levels and result in increased loyalty towards their employer. (JohnHancock, 2019) 
• Sixty-four percent of employees say financial stress has impacted their relationships with friends and family (BrightPlan, 2023). 
• Ninety-two percent of workers are stressed about their finances, and it costs employers nearly $200 billion in lost productivity annually. (BrightPlan, 2023) 
• Sixty percent of employees would consider switching jobs for better financial benefits (Betterment, 2023).
• 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 percent of working adults say that work-related stress carries over into and affects their personal relationships at home, particularly with their spouses. (ADAA, 2021)
• Stress and anxiety negatively impact 56% of employee workplace performance. (ADAA, 2021)
• In the previous six months, one in every four employees reported chronic stress or extreme anxiety hurting their ability to function. (ADAA, 2021)
• 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.

• Twenty-five percent of employees worry about their drug or alcohol use. (Pathways, 2021)
• Fifty-seven percent of employees who abuse substances lose 10 or more hours of productivity per week. (The Standard, 2020)
• 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-six percent of workers say that an addiction or substance abuse issue has affected them more since the pandemic began. (The Standard, 2020)
• Three-quarters of employed Americans struggle with addiction. (American Addiction Centers, 2022)
• Nearly a quarter of people have done drugs or drank alcohol while on the job. (American Addiction Centers, 2022)
• $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, 2022)

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.

• One-third of employees are engaged in their work and workplace. (Gallup, 2023)
• Sixteen percent of employees are actively disengaged at work, potentially harming their work environment through negative attitudes or actions. (Gallup, 2023)
• Eighty-one percent of hybrid employees and 78% of remote employees report high engagement. Fully in-office workers report the lowest levels of engagement (72%). (Quantum Workplace, 2021)
• Sixty-nine percent of employees point out that they would work harder if appreciated more at work. (Officevibe, 2022)
• 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. (Gallup, 2022)
• Forty-seven percent of US employees rate career advancement opportunities as very important for their engagement and satisfaction. (Zippia, 2022)
• 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, 2022)
• 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.

• Sixty-six percent of employers plan to invest more in stress management and resilience programs in 2024. (Wellable, 2024)
• Sixty-eight percent of people say they would prefer to discuss stress and anxiety at work with a robot rather than their manager, and an even higher percentage (80%) would be open to having a robot therapist or counselor. (Oracle, 2020)
• Ninety-five percent of employees feel burned out from frequent, daily video conferencing meetings. (Webex, 2022)
• 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)
• Thirty-nine percent of employees seek new opportunities because they do not believe they are being paid fairly. Feeling stressed (26%), dissatisfied (24%), or unhappy (20%) at their current job was also mentioned frequently. (Indeed, 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, 2022)
• Fifty-seven percent of workers in the United States are feeling more stressed daily than they were last year. (Gallup, 2022)
• Ninety-four percent of workers report feeling stress at work and almost a third say their stress level is high or unusually high. (American Institute of Stress, 2021)
• Fifty-two percent of employees find that their work is quite stressful, citing issues such as too much monotony or having to handle requests from customers. Additionally, close to half of those surveyed often must deal with tight deadlines. (Indeed, 2022)
• Eighty-six percent of employees say that their work life negatively impacts their happiness at home. The same percentage of people believe stress from work can greatly lower the quality of their lives. Furthermore, experiencing workplace stress affects job performance – about 59% state it decreases productivity and 56% argue that it prevents learning and growth. (Indeed, 2022)
• 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, 2022)
• A positive stress mindset helps people reframe stress as a challenge instead of as something harmful. They’re three times more likely to focus on their daily tasks, accomplish more in less time, and be motivated to do their best at work when they have this outlook. Additionally, individuals who maintain a positive stress mindset are one-and-a-half times less likely to be considered for new opportunities when experiencing work-related stress than those with negative associations to it. (Indeed, 2022)
• 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, 2022)
• 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, 2022) 
• 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, 2022)
• Employees who receive the right recognition at work are up to 50% less likely to report being burned out always or very often. (Workhuman, 2022)

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, 2023)
• 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, 2022)
• 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, 2021; Forbes, 2020)

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.

• Walking not only bolsters creative thinking in the present moment but also shortly thereafter. Participants studied improved their creativity while walking as opposed to sitting stationary; this was true for 81% of them. The degree of improvement was significant—on average, participants increased their output by 60%. (Stanford, 2022)
• 40% of seniors (65 years +) reported reduced physical activity and less time spent on their feet since the start of the pandemic. (University of Michigan, 2022) Mortality rates have a strong correlation with the number of steps a person takes each day. For instance, those who take 8,000 steps per day are 51% less likely to die from any cause than those taking only 4,000 steps daily. And if they ramp up their activity level to 12,000 steps per day? Their risk lowers by 65%. (CDC, 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.

• Since February 2020, the lack of reliable and affordable childcare has caused 2 million women to leave the labor force, with 26% citing it as the main reason for their departure. (Harvard Business Review, 2021).
• 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

• Nineteen percent of respondents blame managers for their direct reports’ happiness levels and 14% said top management was responsible for the entire organization’s state of happiness. (Indeed, 2022)
• 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). (Liberty Street Economics, 2022) 
• Fifty-three percent of organizations offer standing desks, an increase from 44% in 2017. (SHRM, 2018)

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)

11 Benefits Of Employee Wellness Program Statistics

• Fifty-six percent of employees had fewer sick days because of wellness programs. (Zippia, 2023) 
• Ninety-one percent of employees feel more inclined to do their best work when executive upper management prioritizes employee well-being. (American Psychological Association, 2017)
• Out of all the metrics that wellness plans improve, employee morale is rated the highest (54%). (Hub International, 2017)
• 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)
• 44% of employees with access to a financial wellness program are highly optimistic about their financial future compared to 32% of those without access. (Shortlister)
• 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 have a 6% higher job satisfaction rate among employees. (Gitnux, 2023)
• Companies with successful health initiatives generate 11% more revenue per employee, 1.8 fewer days absent per employee per year, and 28% higher shareholder returns. (Gapin Institute, 2020)
• Companies with employee wellness programs see a 5% increase in productivity compared to those that don’t focus on employee wellbeing. (Gitnux, 2023)
• Forty-nine percent of employers say wellness programs improve overall employee health and well-being. (KFF, 2022)

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 September 25, 2024