In 2024, nearly 85% of business employers offer workplace wellness programs, in the United States of America. But are these programs making an actual difference in the lives of employees? Longtime workplace wellness advocate and Business Development Consultant Andrew Rooke shares his thoughts:
Are workplace wellness programs actually working?
That seems to be a major question amongst employees and employers in corporate America. Business Development Consultant Andrew Rooke has been a longtime advocate for the effectiveness of workplace wellness programs. But the numbers don’t lie… While nearly 85% of business employers in America offer workplace wellness programs, many of the issues that these programs are meant to address continue to persist. Burnout and mental health needs continue to be left unaddressed directly, leading to escalation. By this observation, many would go as far as to say: no, workplace wellness programs are, in fact, not working. But to that statement, Rooke would firmly disagree.
If you ask Business Development Consultant Andrew Rooke, he’ll tell you straight out: workplace wellness programs are not all created equally. While some employers may view app-integration in the office as a form of workplace wellness, another employer may adopt the idea by suggesting that their employees take an additional five minute break. No matter what way you look at it: neither one of these approaches are effective at all. That’s because, Rooke explains, many employers are not approaching workplace wellness programs the proper way.
Addressing Root Causes
Workplace wellness programs are only effective when addressing root causes. Offering additional breaks or integrating apps into the workplace to streamline activities might sound nice… But without addressing the root causes of employee burnout and mental health concerns in the workplace, nothing will change. Andrew Rooke believes in workplace wellness: but only when it’s done right, on an individualized basis that is unique for each individual and each group. Otherwise, employers are looking at investing in bandages for patching up an overflowing wound that actually requires surgery.
