Today’s employees, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, expect more from their employers than just a paycheck. They are actively looking for environments that support their overall well-being, from mental health to work-life harmony.
According to a 2022 Deloitte survey of over 23,000 workers, poor work-life balance and burnout are significant drivers of employee turnover. The data revealed that 44% of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials reported that many colleagues had recently left their organizations due to workload pressure (1).
When choosing a new employer, these generations ranked “good work-life balance and learning and development opportunities” as top priorities. Furthermore, a staggering 75% expressed a preference for hybrid or remote work options, which highlights a demand for greater flexibility (1).
This shift isn’t just about younger generations. To retain valuable experience, organizations also need to consider older adults (aged 65 and above), examining how work environments and policies can support their healthy longevity.
The message is clear: to attract and retain top talent, companies must move beyond traditional perks and invest in comprehensive wellness initiatives.
This guide will explore what modern workplace wellness entails, identify the qualities of a successful program, and offer innovative, out-of-the-box wellness activities that can truly make a difference.
What Are Workplace Wellness Initiatives?
Workplace wellness initiatives are organized, employer-sponsored programs that are designed to support and improve the health and well-being of employees.
For a long time, these programs were narrowly focused, often limited to wellness screenings and interventions aimed at reducing physical health risks. While approximately half of U.S. employers with 50 or more employees offer some form of wellness program, their scope has often been limited.
However, a more holistic understanding of wellness is emerging. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being broadens the definition (2), identifying five essentials that are fundamental to a healthy work environment:
- Protection from harm – Employees need to feel physically and psychologically safe in their work environment.
- Belonging and connection – A supportive workplace culture that fosters positive relationships among employees is crucial for well-being.
- Work-life harmony – Employees should have control over their work schedules in order to minimize conflict with personal responsibilities and allow for meaningful engagement in both aspects of their lives.
- Mattering at work – Employees should feel valued and have a sense of purpose in their work, contributing to their overall well-being.
- Opportunities for growth and development – Providing opportunities for learning, skill-building, and career advancement can help employees feel more engaged and satisfied with their work.
This framework repositions workplaces not just as places of employment, but as potential engines of well-being.
Investing in these broader wellness efforts can yield significant returns. Decades of research have shown that prioritizing worker well-being may lead to higher productivity, increased retention, and lower organizational costs that are associated with absenteeism and healthcare claims (3).
BetterMe provides members with tailored plans that are based on their unique physical, psychological, and lifestyle needs and health goals. Start using BetterMe corporate wellness solutions to transform your team and business!
What Makes a Good Corporate Wellness Program?
A good corporate wellness program moves beyond simple health screenings. It’s a comprehensive, holistic, and adaptable strategy that addresses the diverse needs of the workforce.
Based on the U.S. Surgeon General’s framework and insights from leading platforms such as BetterMe Business, here are the essential qualities of an effective program.
It’s Comprehensive and Holistic
An effective wellness program acknowledges that well-being is multifaceted. It should address physical, mental, emotional, and even financial health. This means offering a wide range of resources that go beyond a gym membership.
- Mental health support: Providing tools like guided meditations, breathing exercises, and access to counseling can help employees manage stress and prevent burnout (4).
- Physical health support: This includes inclusive workout programs that cater to all fitness levels and needs, such as prenatal, postnatal, and mobility-friendly options (5).
- Nutrition guidance: Offering expert-backed healthy eating tips, meal planning resources, and even intermittent fasting support helps employees build healthy habits (6).
- Mindfulness and sleep support: Quality rest is essential (7). Resources such as guided relaxation techniques, sleep stories, and ambient sounds can dramatically improve sleep quality and overall well-being.
It’s Customizable and Flexible
Every organization is unique, with its own set of challenges and goals. A one-size-fits-all approach to wellness is rarely effective. The best programs are highly customizable, which allows companies to tailor initiatives to their specific needs.
For example, a tech startup with a young workforce might prioritize team-building fitness challenges, while a larger corporation with a diverse age range may need to focus more on flexible work schedules and retirement planning support.
Platforms like BetterMe Business excel here, offering add-ons such as one-on-one coaching, custom team challenges, and even curated corporate wellness gifts to align with a company’s culture.
It’s Engaging and Accessible
Even the most well-designed program will fail if employees don’t use it. Engagement is key. A good program makes participation easy, fun, and rewarding.
- Integrated technology: Using tools that integrate with existing workflows, such as the Zoom-integrated app from BetterMe for Business for team workouts, lowers the barrier to entry.
- Engagement dashboards: Providing HR teams with access to key metrics such as engagement levels and utilization scores helps them understand what’s working and what’s not.
- Gamification: Incorporating elements like a step tracker or team challenges can foster a sense of friendly competition and boost participation.
It’s Data-Driven
To justify investment and ensure continuous improvement, a wellness program needs to be measurable. While many companies don’t formally evaluate their programs, a data-driven approach is essential for long-term success.
Effective programs provide HR departments with a dedicated workspace to monitor key metrics. This allows them to track progress, demonstrate ROI, and make informed decisions to refine the program over time.
Read more: How to Build an Internal Communication Plan for the Workplace
What Are Some Good Wellness Activities?
Are you ready to move beyond the basics? Here are seven innovative wellness activities for employees, drawing inspiration from the five essentials of workplace well-being, that can help you build a thriving, supportive culture.
1. Host “No-Work” Lunch and Learns
Category: Connection and Community
This is one of the best no-cost wellness ideas. Dedicate one lunch hour a week or month to a session where employees can share a personal skill or passion unrelated to their job. This could be anything from a crash course in sourdough baking to a tutorial on basic guitar chords. It fosters a sense of community and helps employees see each other as well-rounded individuals, strengthening social support and belonging.
2. Implement “Focus Fridays”
Category: Work-Life Harmony
To combat meeting fatigue and protect employees’ time, designate Friday afternoons as meeting-free. This period can be reserved for deep work, catching up on tasks, or professional development. This simple policy respects boundaries between collaborative and individual work time, and provides the autonomy and flexibility employees crave.
3. Create a “Gratitude Wall”
Category: Mattering at Work
A physical or digital “gratitude wall” is a space where employees can publicly recognize and thank their colleagues for their help and hard work. This simple act builds a culture of gratitude and recognition, which reinforces the human need for dignity and meaning. It helps employees feel seen and valued for their contributions beyond formal performance reviews.
4. Offer Themed Wellness Challenges
Category: Opportunity for Growth
Instead of a generic fitness challenge, create themed monthly challenges that are fun and inclusive. Examples include a “Mindful Mile” walking challenge, a “Hydration Nation” water-tracking challenge, or a “Digital Detox” challenge. Platforms like BetterMe Business offer robust team challenge features that boost team spirit while encouraging healthy habits and a sense of shared accomplishment.
BetterMe has excellent tools for your business all in one place: a personalized approach to health and wellness, 1,500 workouts for every fitness level, a variety of meal plans and trackers to satisfy any dietary needs, mental health guides, and employer support. Discover all the options now!
5. Start a Mentorship Program
Category: Opportunity for Growth
Pairing junior employees with senior leaders for mentorship is a powerful way to support career development. These programs foster clear, equitable pathways for career advancement and ensure employees receive relevant, reciprocal feedback. This addresses the fundamental human needs of learning and accomplishment and shows employees that the organization is invested in their long-term growth.
Read more: AI in Employee Engagement: The Ultimate Guide to Workplace Automation with a Human Touch
6. Provide On-Demand Mental Wellness Resources
Category: Protection from Harm
Mental wellness activities for employees should be accessible and discreet. Offering a subscription to a wellness app like BetterMe gives employees 24/7 access to guided meditations, stress-relief exercises, and sleep stories. Normalizing the use of these tools helps reduce stigma around mental health and provides tangible support for psychological safety.
7. Schedule Guided Team Meditations via Zoom
Category: Connection and Community
Leverage existing technology to bring teams together for short, guided mindfulness sessions. A quick 10-minute meditation at the start of a team meeting can help everyone center themselves, reduce stress, and improve focus. This is an excellent way to foster collaboration and teamwork, particularly for remote or hybrid teams who may feel disconnected.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, creating a successful corporate wellness program is about more than just checking boxes. It’s about fundamentally reimagining the workplace as a source of well-being, where employees feel protected, connected, and valued.
By embracing a holistic approach and implementing innovative wellness activities, organizations can build a culture that attracts and retains top talent and empowers every employee to thrive. Investing in your people is the most important investment you can make, and the returns in productivity, loyalty, and overall success are immeasurable.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not serve to address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for making any kind of decision-making. Any action taken as a direct or indirect result of the information in this article is entirely at your own risk and is your sole responsibility.
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You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your specific situation. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of BetterMe content. If you suspect or think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor.
SOURCES:
- 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey (2025, deloitte.com)
- Five Essentials for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being (2022, hhs.gov)
- What do Workplace Wellness Programs do? Evidence from the Illinois Workplace Wellness Study (2019, academic.oup.com)
- Organizational Best Practices Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace (2021, journals.lww.com)
- Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions to Improve Health and Well-Being of Health and Social Service Workers: A Narrative Review of Randomised Controlled Trials (2023, mdpi.com)
- The effectiveness of nutrition and health intervention in workplace setting: A systematic review (2021, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- The Impact of Morning Meditation and Sleep Quality on Affective and Health Outcomes in Healthcare Workers (2025, mdpi.com)
