How Corporate Wellness Solutions Can Support Your Team (and Your Business)

Feeling the pressure to find the right corporate wellness solution for your team? You’re not alone. Leaders and HR professionals are increasingly tasked with supporting employee wellbeing, often with limited resources and mounting expectations. It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough or that your efforts aren’t “working.” However, building a supportive workplace culture is about fostering wellbeing over time, and partnering with a corporate wellbeing solutions provider can empower you with the tools and support to make that happen.

How wellbeing impacts attraction and retention

The modern workplace is a whirlwind of demands, and the pressure on leaders to attract and retain talent is higher than ever. Recent Gallup research reveals that employee turnover risk is at its highest point since 2015, with a staggering 51% of U.S. employees actively seeking new opportunities. The driving force? Better benefits and compensation elsewhere.

This data underscores the very real pressure leaders and HR professionals face in addressing complex issues like employee morale, persistent stress, and a lack of engagement. It’s no longer enough to offer a competitive salary; employees are now seeking workplaces that recognize the importance of mental and physical wellbeing and demonstrate that through supportive wellbeing benefits and a culture of compassion.

But what does this look like in action?

Navigating the sheer volume of available wellness solutions can feel overwhelming. Choosing the “right” program, measuring its effectiveness, and demonstrating ROI can feel daunting – even for the most dedicated HR leaders.

And while offering a variety of wellness benefits is key, it’s important to weave them into the company culture to create a holistic approach to wellbeing. Wellness is a team effort, requiring leadership buy-in at all levels where daily work unfolds. Real change happens at the systemic level, with leaders evaluating everything from policies and manager training to workload balance.

Organizations can weave this into every touchpoint of the employee experience. From the language used in recruitment ads and careers pages to the questions asked (and answered) during interviews to the way onboarding is structured – it all needs to convey that your organization values employee wellbeing. This means showcasing specific programs and benefits, but also highlighting the cultural commitment to things like work-life balance and mental health support. In today’s competitive talent landscape, this holistic approach can be a major differentiator in attracting and retaining top talent.

“It’s no longer enough to offer a competitive salary; employees are now seeking workplaces that recognize the importance of mental and physical wellbeing and demonstrate that through supportive wellbeing benefits and a culture of compassion.”

Wellbeing is a process of growth and evolution

Wellbeing in the workplace flourishes when it’s a shared priority, actively cultivated by leaders, the HR department, managers, and even wellbeing advocates or champions. As LifeSpeak expert Dr. Nicole Loreto, PhD, MSc, Senior Advisor at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre and passionate advocate for mental health literacy, points out, “a mentally healthy workplace comes to life for everyone when employees and leaders make it a priority and work together.”

Caring for your employees’ wellbeing is about weaving both compassion and support into your organization. Dr. Loreto emphasizes the importance of leadership: “It is ultimately the employer, the leaders, who shape the workplace environment. It starts with tone at the top.” This means fostering a culture where employees feel valued, heard, and supported and where managers are equipped to recognize and address mental health concerns as well as chronic stress, overload, and other struggles employees might be going through.

This focus on employee wellbeing is more than just a trend; it’s a significant factor in attracting and retaining top talent. And it makes good business sense, too. According to a Manulife Wellness Report, organizations that prioritize the health and wellness of their employees see a significant return on investment. In fact, the top 3 scoring organizations are getting 13 more days of productivity per employee compared to the rest.

Leading with compassion: supporting yourself and your team

Leading with compassion starts with recognizing that you, too, are human. Acknowledge the very real challenges and pressures you face as a leader. Just as you strive to create a supportive environment for your team, you must extend that same compassion inward. When you prioritize your own wellbeing, you set a powerful example.

Dr. Loreto highlights that a mentally healthy workplace is about fostering an environment where employees feel content, have purpose, and can utilize their skills. This requires a top-down approach, with leaders modeling healthy behaviors, promoting work-life balance, and actively creating a supportive culture. This includes encouraging employee participation, recognizing contributions, and providing support to those struggling.

Here are a few ways to cultivate compassion for yourself and your team:

• Practice mindfulness and self-reflection: Take time to check in with yourself throughout the day. Notice how you’re feeling, what you need, and where you might need to set boundaries.
• Model a healthy work-life balance: Create healthy boundaries by disconnecting from work outside of working hours and encourage your team to do the same.
• Seek support from peers, mentors, or coaches: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Connecting with others who understand the unique challenges of leadership can provide invaluable support and guidance.
• Create a culture of open communication and feedback: Encourage open and honest dialogue about wellbeing in your workplace. Make it safe for employees to share their struggles and ask for support.
• Celebrate successes and recognize the efforts of employees: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate your team’s hard work and dedication. Celebrating wins, big or small, fosters a positive and motivating work environment.

Measuring the success of corporate wellbeing solutions: beyond the metrics

While metrics like reduced absenteeism are positive, true wellbeing is about cultivating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered.

Dr. Loreto encourages leaders to look beyond traditional metrics and consider “presenteeism” – where employees are physically present but mentally checked out – as a sign that wellbeing may need attention.

She suggests evaluating employee engagement in social activities and soliciting feedback on workplace culture: “Some of them will actually tell me, well, we don’t have that many, or well, they can be improved. And I have other employers that just say, great, people are engaged, and for me, that’s a really good sign.”

Here are three more ways to gauge the impact of your efforts:

• Conduct regular employee engagement surveys: Ask your team about their wellbeing, gather feedback on existing initiatives, and identify areas for improvement.
• Facilitate open feedback sessions: Create a safe space for employees to share their experiences, suggestions, and concerns.
• Pay attention to anecdotal evidence of positive change: Celebrate stories of individual growth, improved team dynamics, or increased engagement.

Dr. Loreto emphasizes that a thriving workplace is one where “employees will like coming to work, be happy, and contribute towards the goals of the organization.” By focusing on creating this type of environment, organizations can foster genuine wellbeing that translates into both individual and organizational success.

Building a thriving workplace culture takes time, effort, and a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing. By starting with compassion – for yourself and your team – you can create a foundation for lasting positive change. Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers or solve every problem overnight. Focus on taking small, consistent steps, and celebrate the progress you make along the way.

Ready to prioritize employee wellbeing and create a more engaged workforce? Book a demo today – and be sure to download our eBook, “20 Practical Strategies to Create a Culture of Wellbeing,” to discover actionable steps you can implement right away.