WX trends: Why employee wellbeing is the new bottom line

Our workplace experience (WX) trends series looks at recent news articles, videos, social media posts, and thought leadership pieces on workplace experience. You’ll also hear from our experts on what’s trending.

Employee wellbeing is a key trend for 2025, with forward-thinking companies embracing a more holistic, personalized approach. They see addressing employees’ mental, physical, and emotional health as a necessity rather than a luxury. Here’s why. 

There’s work to do to address the post-pandemic wellbeing gap

We may have moved on from the pandemic, but its impact on employee wellbeing is still very real. Gallup’s recent findings paint a sobering picture of post-pandemic workplace dynamics: Employee engagement hit an 11-year low in 2024, and we’re still not back to pre-pandemic wellbeing levels.

So, what’s going on? One of the biggest challenges today is the ongoing childcare crisis. According to Gallup, nearly half of women and a quarter of men are thinking about cutting back their work hours to manage childcare demands. This highlights the need for organizations to rethink how they structure jobs and support working parents – especially women, who often carry the biggest load.

From parenthood and menopause to other caregiving responsibilities, these factors significantly impact women in the workforce. 

And here’s another thing: Managers and employees aren’t on the same page when it comes to feedback and recognition. Half of managers think they’re giving regular feedback, but only 20% of employees agree. This mismatch highlights the need for better ways to communicate and recognize good – and great – work to boost wellbeing and engagement. 

Want happy employees? Invest in wellness

The good news is that companies are starting to get it. They’re realizing that happy and healthy employees are more engaged and productive. 

In fact, EHS Today‘s “State of Work-Life Wellness Report” found that 69% of employees with access to wellness programs rate their wellbeing as “good” or “thriving,” compared to only 53% of those without these types of programs. These stats underscore that wellness is a central priority for workplaces in 2025.

Notably, Gen Z leads the charge in prioritizing mental health, actively engaging with wellbeing resources. Yet, the report reveals that workplace wellness programs still fall short: only 14% of employees have access to fitness support, and only 11% can tap into mindfulness or meditation resources. 

These gaps suggest that to really make a difference, companies need to offer a wider range of wellness options that cater to different needs.

“To truly support our teams, we need to go beyond one-size-fits-all solutions,” says Holly Grogan, Chief Experience Officer at Appspace. “Personalized wellness programs allow us to address the unique challenges each employee faces, boosting not just productivity but genuine satisfaction and engagement.”

Data-driven wellbeing: Measuring what matters

Forbes highlights the importance of rethinking how organizations approach employee wellbeing to “create a foundation for better work and better lives”. It’s key to offer support “not just when crises arise, but as part of [employees’] day-to-day work experience”.

Organizations are increasingly using both quantitative and qualitative data to successfully inform and monitor wellbeing initiatives, they report. Metrics like employee engagement scores, retention rates, absenteeism, and productivity provide a useful baseline, while surveys and focus groups offer deeper insights into employee needs and preferences. 

By integrating these data sources, organizations can create customized wellbeing programs that drive engagement, reduce burnout, and improve overall health within the organization.

As we begin to navigate 2025’s complex workplace landscape, taking a personalized and data-driven approach to wellbeing is more important than ever. By tackling challenges head-on, expanding wellness resources, and measuring success in a holistic way, businesses can start to unlock the full potential of their teams and create a thriving workforce.

“Wellbeing isn’t a ‘perk’ anymore – it’s a core business strategy,” explains Grogan. “Organizations that invest in holistic and data-driven approaches to employee wellness are the ones building resilient, motivated, and innovative teams for the future.”