The gap between what employees want and what companies provide is widening—and it’s costing businesses more than they realize.
In an effort to boost morale, many companies are still relying on surface-level perks like free snacks, happy hours, and trendy office spaces. While these benefits may seem attractive, they fail to address the real reasons employees are disengaging. Today’s workforce isn’t just looking for fun extras; they want genuine support for their well-being, career growth, and work-life balance.
In Gallup’s latest trend report dating back to 2000, employee engagement peaked in 2020, at 36%, following a decade of steady growth, but has trended downward since then. But,v c employee disengagement isn’t just about issues present in workplace culture —it has much bigger consequences. A disengaged employee leads to lower productivity, and higher turnover (a huge expense to the company), and leaves employees feeling undervalued and unmotivated.
So, what’s causing this decline in engagement? What do employees truly value today? And how can corporate wellness programs turn disengagement into motivation?
Employee engagement has dropped to its lowest point in ten years. According to Gallup, in 2024 only 31% of employees reported feeling engaged at work. At the same time, we’ve seen a rise in "quiet quitting" and burnout, with more employees mentally checking out of their roles or actively seeking new opportunities.
HR leaders aren’t just reading about these trends—they’re feeling them firsthand. Time and time again, we hear from HR leaders that increasing employee engagement and reducing turnover are their top priorities. But the question remains: how can organizations bridge the gap between what employees need and what employers can offer?
What do the top places to work all have in common? They prioritize employee well-being to improve employee satisfaction and build a more resilient, high-performing workforce.
They invest in holistic wellness programs, mindfulness spaces, stress resilience training, and on-site fitness facilities to support well-being and foster team bonding, leading to improved work culture.
In Gallup’s latest research in The Top Four Reasons for Taking a New Job, the data makes it clear: employees no longer see work-life balance and well-being as perks—they expect them.
For three consecutive years, work-life balance and personal well-being have ranked as the most important factors when choosing a job. Before the pandemic, 53% of employees rated well-being as “very important.” Today, that number has grown to 59%—signaling a lasting shift in how employees view their relationship with work.
Despite this, employers are still trying to catch up to this growing need in the workplace. Whether it’s getting buy-in, showing the ROI, or simply finding the time to execute wellness programs, we’ve heard from many of you that you’re discouraged.
“Only 1 in 5 employees believe that organizations care about their well-being.”
We know firsthand from speaking to so many HR leaders that you care deeply about employee well-being, yet the data shows that only 1 in 5 employees believe that organizations care about their well-being.
As a result, workers are actively seeking companies that don’t just talk about wellness but integrate it into their culture, offering meaningful support for both mental and physical health.
So how can you close the gap between what employees expect and what you can deliver?
“Workplace wellness isn’t just a perk—it’s a key ingredient of a thriving team culture”
Companies that want to boost engagement, reduce turnover, and attract top talent must recognize that workplace wellness isn’t just a perk—it’s a key ingredient of a thriving team culture. Employees who feel supported in their well-being are not only more engaged but also more productive, resilient, and committed to their organization.
Right now, most employees don’t believe their company genuinely cares about their well-being (according to Gallup’s survey).
One of the most effective ways to bridge this gap is by implementing year-round workplace wellness programs. When employees see that wellness is more than a one-time initiative, they start to believe that their company is truly invested in their health, happiness, and success.
The impact of corporate wellness initiatives is clear. But with different options to choose from, why should you consider HEAL? Our programs get 3x the engagement of typical workplace wellness programs. We offer a holistic approach focusing on team-building wellness challenges, insightful lunch and learns (virtual or in-person), and new on-demand resources to help support participants all year long because we genuinely want people to build lasting positive habits.
Our post-program surveys show that 99% of participants felt their employer cared about their well-being, and 92% reported having better boundaries around work-life balance. These results prove that with the right support, employees are not only willing but highly motivated to build better habits that improve both their work and personal lives.
After more than a decade of running corporate wellness programs, we’ve seen firsthand that people are incredibly capable of making lasting changes—when given the right tools, support, and workplace culture that prioritizes well-being. When companies fully integrate wellness into their culture, rather than treating it as an add-on, employees don’t just participate—they thrive.
When this missing piece of the puzzle is in place, everything changes. Engagement improves. Burnout decreases. Employees feel healthier, happier, and more motivated. And that’s when businesses truly begin to thrive.
Contact us about supporting your employees' well-being, with a custom, done-for-you corporate wellness plan today.
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