Employee Well Being

We spend most of our waking hours at work, which means the workplace environment can impact our mental health, stress levels, and overall well-being. Dr. Bri Darboh, Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist at Baycrest, shares insights into why employee well-being is essential, the myths that hold organizations back, and the strategies to create a culture where employees thrive. 

What is Workplace Wellness? 

Workplace wellness is about fostering an environment where employees feel supported in their mental, physical, emotional, and social health. It’s not limited to offering fitness programs or occasional workshops, it’s a holistic, long-term approach to organizational well-being. Wellness at work is not a “nice-to-have” perk. It’s a strategic necessity that improves productivity, reduces absenteeism, and creates higher employee engagement. 

Why it Matters 

Healthy, supported employees are more productive and creative. Studies show that when employees feel their well-being is valued, they’re up to 17 percent more productive and teams can achieve 21 percent higher profitability. 

Neglecting employee wellness leads to more absenteeism, lower morale, higher turnover, and costly presenteeism, which is when staff show up but are too stressed or unwell to perform effectively. 

A culture that prioritizes employee mental health encourages people to bring their best selves to work. When leaders model healthy habits like taking breaks, setting boundaries, and promoting balance, it normalizes care and builds trust across teams. In the long run, this cultural shift leads to stronger engagement and retention, helping organizations perform at their peak. 

Common Myths About Workplace Wellness 

Dr. Darboh debunks 3 myths that prevent organizations from embracing wellness effectively: 

Myth 1: Any wellness program is better than nothing. 
Poorly designed or generic initiatives can waste money and cause skepticism. Success depends on quality, alignment, and fit with employees’ real needs. 

Myth 2: We don’t have budget for wellness programs. 
If an organization is losing productivity to absenteeism, burnout, or turnover, it’s already paying for poor wellness but just in hidden costs. As Dr. Darboh said, “The question isn’t can we afford to invest in wellness, but can we afford the status quo?” 

Myth 3: Participation in wellness initiatives equals success. 
High engagement numbers don’t always mean impact. What matters is measurable change such as reduced stress, improved health outcomes, and better retention. 

Wellness Strategies that Work 

The most effective workplace wellness programs are built on research, not trends. Rather than rolling out generic initiatives, organizations should focus on evidence-based strategies that improve both employee health and business outcomes. Here are 8 strategies organizations can use to build a comprehensive and effective wellness program.  

1. Tailored Programs 

The best employee wellness initiatives take a whole-person approach, addressing not only physical health but also psychological safety, stress management, and social connection. Organizations should consider the unique needs of their workforce, such as job demands, demographics, and existing stressors, when designing wellness strategies. Programs that focus on only one pillar, like fitness or nutrition, tend to lose impact over time. Instead, a holistic, tailored program creates meaningful, long-term change in both employee health and organizational culture. 

2. Leadership Buy-In 

Research consistently shows that leadership buy-in is one of the strongest predictors of program success. When leaders openly prioritize wellness, talk about mental health, and model healthy boundaries, employees follow suit.  

3. Mental Health Focus 

A strong focus on mental health is essential to any effective wellness strategy. Integrating counselling access, stress-management programs, and flexible policies that promote balance and resilience helps create healthier, more engaged teams.  

4. Targeted Interventions 

It’s important to use data and employee feedback to shape programs. This could include pulse surveys, mental health check-ins, or tracking engagement trends.  

5. Smart Incentives 

Incentives can encourage participation, but the most effective ones go beyond surface-level rewards. Meaningful incentives such as extra time off, recognition programs, or opportunities for professional growth can motivate employees to engage because they align with personal values and well-being goals. When done right, incentives reinforce a culture that values health and balance, rather than one that simply checks a wellness box. 

6. Track and Refine 

Wellness initiatives should be measured and adapted based on data and employee feedback. Using pulse surveys to collect feedback or tracking engagement trends helps leaders identify what’s working and where engagement drops off. Regular review turns wellness from a one-time program into a continually improving system. 

7. Wellness-Friendly Policies 

When a company creates a culture that supports wellness, it shows that they truly mean it. For example, providing flexible hours, encouraging walking breaks, or offering healthy food at events, makes it easier for an employee to engage in their wellness.  

8. Celebrate Wins 

Recognizing milestones, progress, and personal achievements reinforces a culture of well-being. Whether it’s acknowledging team participation in wellness challenges or sharing success stories, celebrating progress builds momentum and makes wellness feel meaningful and shared across the organization. 

The Bottom Line 

Workplace wellness is an essential part of building healthier organizations. It benefits both employees and employers, improving mental health, productivity, and culture. For more insights and actionable strategies, watch the full webinar with Dr. Darboh on workplace wellness and explore how you can bring these practices into your own organization. 

Watch the Webinar: Employee-Well Being

With Dr. Bri Darboh, MBA, Ph.D, C.Psych, Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist, Neuropsychology & Cognitive Health, Baycrest

Join us on June 26, 2025, from 12-1pm EST for this informative and practical webinar to explore how investing in employee well-being can drive real results for your organization.

Date: Thurs., June 26, 2025
Time: 12pm – 1pm EST

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand how employee well-being impacts key organizational outcomes such as productivity, retention, innovation, and profitability.
• Evaluate evidence linking employee mental health and workplace culture to measurable organizational performance metrics.
• Identify foundational approaches for creating a workplace that prioritizes well-being as a driver of organizational success.

Thank you for your interest in our upcoming webinar. We have a maximum capacity of 1000 registrants, and once this limit is reached, registration will be closed.

The content presented in this webinar was accurate at time of broadcast.