The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Employee Wellness
Sick Days or Success? The Surprising ROI of Employee Wellness Programs
Summary:
June is National Employee Wellness Month—and your business can’t afford to ignore it. Investing in employee wellness leads to higher retention, better productivity, and even bigger profits. Let’s break down the ROI and real results. #EmployeeWellness #HealthyTeams #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateCulture
Employee Wellness Means Business
The Data Doesn’t Lie: Wellness Means Business
In a world where burnout has become a buzzword and work-life balance is more myth than reality, wellness in the workplace is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a must. And the numbers prove it.
✅ Companies that invest in employee wellness see a 6-to-1 return on investment according to the Harvard Business Review.
✅ A 2023 report from Gallup found that teams who are thriving in their overall well-being are 81% less likely to seek new jobs.
✅ The CDC states that productivity losses linked to absenteeism cost U.S. employers $1,685 per employee per year.
✅ Deloitte reports that mental health conditions cost U.S. companies nearly $47.6 billion in lost productivity annually.
Let that sink in.
When your team is well, your business does well. But when stress, burnout, and low morale dominate the workday, it’s not just your employees who suffer—your bottom line does too.
Download your calendar now, no matter what month you happen to be part of right now!
Wait... What Actually Is Employee Wellness?
Good question—and one I get all the time.
Employee wellness goes far beyond handing out Fitbits and throwing fruit in the break room. A true wellness program is holistic—it covers:
Physical Health: Fitness, nutrition, sleep, and preventative care
Mental & Emotional Well-being: Stress management, burnout prevention, and psychological safety
Work-Life Balance: Flexibility, boundaries, and time for recovery
Social Connection: Team engagement, workplace friendships, and belonging
Purpose & Fulfillment: Knowing your work matters and aligns with your values
When these dimensions are supported, employees don’t just survive—they thrive. And thriving employees fuel successful businesses.
Business Benefits of Employee Wellness
The Business Benefits of Wellness (That No One Talks About)
Let’s go beyond the stats. Here’s what I’ve seen firsthand after running successful wellness programs in corporate environments for over a decade:
1. Lower Turnover
Companies that prioritize employee well-being see a dramatic increase in loyalty. I once worked with a mid-sized company that reduced employee turnover by 40% within one year—just by implementing a consistent wellness strategy with monthly events, wellness days, and coaching sessions.
2. Higher Productivity
Well people work better. When your body is healthy, your mind is clear, and your energy is sustained throughout the day, your performance skyrockets. Employees who participate in wellness programs are up to 25% more productive, according to the American Journal of Health Promotion.
3. Better Culture
Wellness breeds connection. From team fitness challenges to mental health check-ins and gratitude campaigns, wellness initiatives build emotional equity. You create a culture where people feel seen, safe, and supported—not just as workers, but as humans.
4. Fewer Sick Days
It sounds simple, but it’s profound: people who take care of themselves get sick less often. Implementing a preventive wellness plan—whether that’s flu shots, stress reduction workshops, or movement breaks—reduces absenteeism and cuts healthcare costs.
5. Positive Employer Brand
In today’s job market, candidates want more than a paycheck—they want to work for a company that cares. A well-designed wellness program signals that you invest in your people. That makes you more attractive to top talent and gives you a competitive edge.
Why do companies get employee wellness wrong?
So Why Do So Many Companies Still Get This Wrong?
I’ll be honest: a lot of wellness programs flop.
Not because companies don’t care, but because:
They’re disorganized
They’re one-size-fits-all (remember the gym I ran? The company spent tens of thousands of dollars on this facility to only have 1% of the employees using it)
They’re led by someone with no real wellness background
They don’t include leadership participation
They’re reactive, not strategic
I’ve seen companies throw thousands at gym memberships no one uses or host one wellness fair a year and call it a program. That’s like putting a Band-Aid on a broken bone.
True workplace wellness is consistent, inclusive, engaging, and measurable.
That’s why June—National Employee Wellness Month—is the perfect time to rethink your strategy.
Celebrate Employee Wellness in June or any month!!
What Can You Do in June to Celebrate Wellness Month?
Here are some of my favorite easy wins to build momentum in your company:
🗓 Download the June Wellness Calendar
(We created one for you—reach out and I’ll send it your way!) It’s packed with simple, low-cost ideas like hydration reminders, breathing breaks, and team gratitude shout-outs.
💬 Host a “Walk and Talk” Meeting
Get outside and connect! Walking meetings are energizing and encourage deeper conversations.
🎯 Launch a “Better You” Challenge
These 6-week challenges focus on fitness, nutrition, stress management, and mindset—and they’re fun, competitive, and deeply transformational.
🎤 Bring in a Wellness Speaker
A 30-minute lunch-and-learn on burnout, boundaries, or stress reduction can re-engage your team instantly.
🧠 Offer Mental Health Resources
Partner with local therapists, promote your EAP, or offer meditation sessions. Mental wellness needs more than lip service—it needs action.
You don’t need a huge budget for employee wellness
You Don’t Need a Huge Budget—Just a Real Commitment
I know not every company has the budget of Google or Salesforce. But you don’t need to install nap pods or kombucha taps to make an impact.
Start small. Be consistent. Show that you care.
A handwritten note, a mid-day walk, a shout-out during the weekly meeting—these are the moments that build trust and connection.
And trust me, your employees can feel whether your wellness program is a checklist… or a commitment.
Employee Wellness Month
This Isn’t Just What I Teach—It’s What I Live
I’m Kathie Owen, and I’ve spent over two decades helping individuals and organizations elevate their energy, mindset, and performance. I’ve developed wellness programs from scratch, led fitness and mindset workshops, and coached teams through burnout recovery—all with a passion for helping humans thrive at work and in life.
I believe that wellness is the foundation of greatness. Not just personally, but professionally. When employees are well, everything else—productivity, retention, innovation, profitability—falls into place.
So let’s make wellness more than a theme for June. Let’s make it a movement that transforms your workplace all year long.
About Kathie
Kathie Owen, Coach and Consultant
Kathie Owen is a corporate wellness consultant, motivational speaker, and mindset coach with over 20 years of experience helping companies and individuals thrive. She’s the creator of the Better You Challenge and host of Kathie’s Coaching Podcast. Kathie helps teams prevent burnout, build resilience, and reimagine what’s possible through holistic wellness.
Let’s Chat
If you’re ready to start or refresh your employee wellness program, I’d love to help. You can book a discovery call, download our June Wellness Calendar, or sign up for a Better You Challenge tailored to your team.
Because when you care for your people, your business grows stronger than ever. 💪
#NationalEmployeeWellnessMonth #CorporateWellness #HealthyWorkplaces #EmployeeEngagement #BetterYouChallenge #TeamWellness #WorkplaceHappiness #BurnoutPrevention #MentalHealthMatters #LeadershipDevelopment
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