Thriving Workplaces How Employers can Improve Productivity and Change Lives 2025

Introduction There is an urgent need to improve employee health. Stakeholders who take immediate action will reap substantial benefits. Health is “more than the absence of disease or infirmity”, as the World Health Organization (WHO) puts it. Modern concepts of health include mental, physical, spiritual and social function.2 Today, more than 3.5 billion working adults each spend roughly 90,000 hours (or about 45 years)3 of their lives at work.4 This underscores the workplace’s potential to profoundly influence health – not just for the benefit of employees but also for their families and the communities in which they live. Several trends are impossible to ignore: more people working than ever, an ageing population living and working longer and escalating levels of burn-out.5 The current state of the workforce, coupled with these trends, demands a rethink of employee health to avoid a potential crisis for health and business. A healthy workforce is not just a matter of corporate and societal responsibility; it is a strategic necessity and a substantial business opportunity. The reality that leaders face is stark: failing to prioritize employee health risks creating a sicker, unhappier and less productive workforce, burdened with higher healthcare costs and diminished productivity. The good news is that, conversely, the path to a healthier workforce can yield substantial returns for executives, investors, policy-makers and other stakeholders, including more robust organizations, vibrant communities and, ultimately, a healthier society. Guidance for developing a healthy workforce This report is a call to action for leaders to recognize that the health and well-being of their employees is critical to the future success and sustainability of their organizations. While small actions taken today can build towards substantial impact tomorrow, many stakeholders are uncertain how to make the required changes in the most effective way. This report is structured to guide stakeholders on this journey, with the aim of helping them feel empowered and enabled to act. The first chapter outlines the case for investing in a healthy workforce, and the second delves into the current state of employee health and well-being globally, looking at how health varies by industry and by demographic group. The final chapters focus on measurement and first steps and are particularly geared towards executives, providing leaders with the tools and strategies necessary to implement effective health initiatives. Thriving Workplaces: How Employers can Improve Productivity and Change Lives 5