Wellness 3.0

The workplace as a wellness destination

NOW

Among U.S. workers with access to a wellness program, only 40% say these programs actually improve their health or wellness, nearly one-third don’t use them, and 10% don’t even know if one is available. Today’s workers are seeking out a new and improved employee value proposition that includes a focus on all aspects of health and well-being. As the boundaries between work and life continue to blur, employees increasingly look to employers to foster a culture of health; to optimize the built environment; and to provide wellness-enhancing amenities, programs and policies. And so employers are taking holistic approaches to workplace wellness, taking all aspects of employees’ health and well-being into consideration.

Organizations will go a step further by striving to make workplaces healthy “destinations” for employees — adapting both work and the workplace so that both are truly wellness-enhancing and improve all dimensions of quality of life. These are the types of environments that are increasingly being sought out and even demanded by employees who understand that work can and should contribute to their health, not detract from it.

Employers will embrace this new approach to workplace well-being by developing customized, employee-centric, holistic wellness programs that look at worker wellness as a true advantage. They will find ways to shift already-tight resources to solutions that enhance human health and prevent disease.

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About the 2017 Global Workplace Trends

Every year, Sodexo looks at the main factors affecting the world’s workers and employers now — and in the future. These trends resonate across the spectrum of employee experience and can serve as a useful tool for employers navigating a landscape that is ever evolving.

Other trends that might interest you

The agile organization: striking a balance between speed and stability

Organizations are seeking the holy grail of agility—speed plus stability—with an ultimate goal of responding to new conditions, all while keeping employees agile, too, with help from disciplines like mindfulness.

The rise of cross-workplaces: accelerating innovation through chance interactions

The newest iteration of collaborative work spaces takes co-working to a new level, with organizations not only sharing physical space and resources but also intentionally structuring interactions across boundaries to encourage problem-solving approaches that combine strengths to address complex issues.

Employees without borders: understanding the impact of migration on the workplace

The sheer spread and scale of the relocation of workers, in both emerging and developed economies, is driving new opportunities to demonstrate inclusive leadership by evaluating skill needs, availability, location benefits and effective cultural integration.

The new gen of robotics: how robots are transforming the way we work

Robots have been in the workplace for years, and advances in artificial intelligence have led to organizations increasingly using them for jobs that humans used to perform. The newest discussion: exploring the success of robots, especially as they collaborate with people on uniquely human jobs.

Intergenerational learning: a new model for talent development

As people continue to live and work longer, all workers are forcing companies to think differently about hierarchical and traditional employee learning. Employees of all generations are teaching one another from their own experiences and driving a new culture of personal development.

Personal branding goes to work: a powerful tool for employees and employers alike

Personal branding is taking on a new life and getting deeper scrutiny, as employers look to leverage the power of employees’ personal brands for the good of the company.

Redefining workplace experience: putting design thinking principles to work

From physical space and technology to virtual work considerations and amenities, the way workers experience their surroundings is key to a happy workforce. Design thinking can help optimize this experience so that it supports employees both within and outside of the workplace.

The 2030 agenda for sustainable development: reframing CSR through a shared vision and common purpose

The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call on organizations to work together and with government toward a shared vision. The way businesses interpret and adapt practices will affect not only the progress toward meeting the SDGs but also the needs of a workforce hungry for positive change.

Unlocking the potential of millennial talent: a new understanding of what drives this generation

Why do we need to better understand millennials? Grasping the unique set of attributes that this generation brings to the work table gives us a view into the future of the workplace.