Human beings spend most of their time in the built environment, and the workplace has a massive impact on a person’s physical and mental health.
Work-related stress alone can cost up to $300 billion a year, and companies now recognize that poor wellbeing at work creates massive economic and productivity losses.
A Global Wellness Institute survey found that 70-80 percent of US companies believe that wellness programs reduce absenteeism and increase productivity.

The workplace wellness market is valued at an estimated $48 billion, according to the Global Wellness Institute. And although the market has been steadily growing over the past few years, “the market is small in comparison to the massive economic burden and productivity losses associated with an unwell workforce and widespread worker disengagement.”

But, the real estate industry is catching up, including office real estate. According to the 2018 Global Wellness Economy Monitor, there are over 740 wellness estate and community developments either built or in development in 34 countries. The sector is expected to grow 8% in the next five years.

This means that companies across the globe are aware that we are in need of a new approach to wellness. In the US alone, the cost of unwellness at work reaches an estimated $2.2 trillion annually, which represents 12% of GDP. Work-related stress alone can cost up to $300 billion a year.

Human beings spend most of their time in built environments. Full-time employees spend as much as 38% of their weekday at work, which is why the workplace can contribute to or detriment a person’s physical and mental health. Therefore, companies should prioritize addressing emotional, social, mental, and physical wellbeing at work.

There are various benefits to workplace wellness programs and initiatives. Offering wellness programs shows that a company cares for its staff, and one way to demonstrate this is by offering comfortable workspaces (the top 3 workspace wellness detractors are no break time, lack of fresh air, and lack of privacy).

Stats that Prove Workplace Wellness Works

Surveys from Lockheed Martin correlated productivity losses with health problems such as migraines (4.9% loss), allergies (4.1% loss), asthma (5.2% loss), influenza (4.7% loss), and depression (7.6% loss)
In a 2017 GSK study, more than 67% of workers in China, India, Philippines, and Indonesia felt that their work environment caused their body pain, and more than 60% said their work environment caused them head pain, leading to significant productivity loss and human suffering.
Workforce unwellness could be costing the global economy 10-15 percent of annual economic output.
A Global Wellness Institute survey found that 70-80 percent of US companies believe that wellness programs reduce absenteeism and increase productivity.
Another survey by the Global Wellness Institute found that when U.S. workers feel physically or mentally unwell, it affects many aspects of their work performance:
- 62% say it affects their ability to get work done;
- 63% say it affects their engagement in work;
- and 62% say it affects their motivation to do the job well.
Furthermore, the same survey also found that when the work environment causes individuals to feel unwell, many other aspects of their lives are affected:
- 69% said it affects their mental and emotional health;
- 50% that it affects their physical health;
- 36% that it affects their family lives;
- 35% that it affects their relationships;
- and 66% that it affects their overall happiness levels.
Wellness programs can help increase employee engagement. Companies with engaged employees report 37% lower absenteeism levels, up to 65% lower employee turnover, 10% higher customer satisfaction; 21% higher productivity, and 22% higher profitability.
A Gallup research found that companies with engaged staff have higher earnings per share, outperforming peers by as much as 147%.
Workplaces that don’t contribute to wellness reduce productivity by 17.5%.
59% of companies believe that workplace wellness can help reduce costs.
67% of companies with workplace wellness programs reported that employees are more satisfied.