As an employer, what do you want from your teams? As a starting point, you may want them to be productive and passionate about their work. But have you ever thought about the impact of employee wellbeing on your productivity and employee satisfaction? If not, these workplace health statistics could change that!

In recent years, there has also been a significant increase in awareness of the importance of employee well-being. Employers are spending more resources on implementing processes and safety measures to protect the physical and mental health of team members and ensure their happiness. Including using the platform https://plann.ly/ 

Are there other employers who treat people like robots and focus solely on numbers and results? Sure, but they are in the minority. Plus, platforms like Plannly make it easy to find out who these companies are. The way employers treat their people is also often in the news.

Here are ten must-have workplace health statistics that show the importance of keeping your employees healthy, happy and engaged.

General employee health statistics
Statistics 1: 87% of employees consider health and wellness offers when looking for a new position.
While the focus on employee wellness is growing, this is nothing new. A 2013 Forbes report highlights the colossal proportion of job seekers who think about health and wellness when looking for a job.

Health and wellness offerings don't even have to be a specific program. A shorter workday, flexible work, or even a free Friday afternoon pizza can all contribute to overall wellness.

Statistics 2. Between 2016 and 2017, almost 33% of companies increased the number of health and wellness services offered.
In 2017, a study on employee benefits by the Society for Human Resource Management found that many companies are placing more emphasis on the health and wellness benefits they offer.

Have you been one of these companies? Otherwise, it may be more difficult for you to attract the best people to your company. If your competitors offer these benefits, you'd better believe they'll make them an important part of their job postings!

Employee wellness programs
Statistics 3: Interest in results-based wellness programs fell from 72% to 39% between 2017 and 2019.
At first glance, this conclusion from the 2019 Shortlister Healthy Workplace Trends report may seem unsettling. However, it is a sign that employers are focusing more on wellbeing in general rather than driving performance through incentives. It's also likely that as a result of employee feedback, they'd rather have access to things like mental health support.

For example, in performance-based programs, employees are rewarded for achieving a specific goal, such as exercising for a specific period of time or eating certain foods. Doing these things can lead to better health, but there are more important things to focus on in terms of workplace wellness.

Statistics 4: Over 90% of companies offer at least one wellness initiative.
Supporting the idea that businesses are increasingly investing in wellness programs, the International Employee Benefit Plans Foundation found that over 90% of companies offer at least one wellness initiative. If you don't act according to these workplace health statistics, your company may fall behind.

According to Fidelity, the most popular initiatives in 2017 were to help employees quit smoking, exercise more and manage their weight. However, the move away from results-based wellness programs means that mental health initiatives have since caught up.

Workplace stress
Statistics 5: 61% of employees experience burnout at work
Burnt out employees exhibit lower levels of engagement, often resulting in poor performance, inadequate service delivery, and inefficient business.

It is alarming that a 2017 Career Builder study found that 61% of employees report feeling burnt out at work.

The same study found:

· 30% of employees stay in touch with work, for example by e-mail, while on vacation.

· The number of employees going on vacation is reduced.

· Employees take on average only 80% of their vacation per year.

What can your business do to keep your employees on vacation and not burn out at work?

Statistics 6: 48% of employees say that employer training helps them cope with stress
Work can bring pressure and stress. This is a fact and is unlikely to ever change.

However, as an employer, you may have systems in place to help employees deal with this.

The data show that this approach can also be beneficial. Udemy's Coping with Workplace Stress research shows that nearly half of employees say an employer training program helps them cope with stress.

Employees can take advantage of this benefit in their personal lives!

How employees benefit from wellness programs
Statistics 7: 61% of employees say their employer's wellness program has helped them make healthy lifestyle choices.
Continuing the trend of workplace wellness programs producing positive outcomes outside of the workplace, 61% of employees told Aflac that the wellness program helped them make healthy lifestyle choices.

And a healthier lifestyle leads to higher levels of happiness and better physical and mental health. From the employer's point of view: increased engagement, increased productivity and reduced sick days.

Statistics 8: 70% of employees who have access to a wellness program report higher levels of job satisfaction.
A separate report from Aflac states that in addition to the health benefits, your employees will enjoy their work more!

Employees who enjoy their work will be better at their job. You will also reduce staff turnover and the burden on recruiting teams!

How employers benefit from wellness programs
Statistics 9: Laid-off employees cost US companies $550 billion a year.
The biggest problem with disconnection is that it's hard to know exactly how much it costs.

A study by the Engagement Institute estimates the scale of the problem in monetary terms at potentially $550 billion a year for all US businesses. A wellness program can help prevent engagement losses while increasing profits.

Double win!

Statistics 10: 63% of companies offering wellness programs report improved financial strength and accelerated growth.
Only a quarter of businesses admit that the main reason they need a wellness program is to improve productivity and growth. However, a much higher percentage achieve this result.

Whether you place this result at the heart of your wellness program or as an added benefit,

What impact can a workplace wellness program have on your business?
When you invest in an employee wellness program, everyone wins!

Your employees:

They can take advantage of a full vacation and disconnect from work while they are away.
Can learn to deal with stress better.
Make a choice in favor of a healthy lifestyle.
Become happier at work and stay with you longer.
Your business:

Becomes more attractive to job seekers.
Builds a reputation as an employer by focusing on the well-being of employees.
You have a team of motivated and enthusiastic people working for you.
Enjoys increased productivity, revenue, profitability and growth.
If these workplace wellness statistics have prompted you to make some changes to your company, remember: improving wellness doesn't have to be difficult. You don't even need a full-blown employee wellness program to help you achieve these results.

Depending on the size of your business, even having a specific member of your HR team responsible for organizing and delivering wellness benefits can make a significant difference to you and your teams.