82% of CEOs see positive ROI from wellbeing initiatives, finds Wellhub

Eight in ten (82%) CEOs report positive returns from their wellbeing investments.

They see wellbeing as driving an increase in productivity (56%), reduced absenteeism (67%), stronger retention (73%) and reduced healthcare costs (68%).

That’s according to new data from Wellhub.

The corporate wellbeing platform surveyed 1,500 CEOs and leaders across the world, and found they were aware that wellbeing commitments are not just a nice to have, they are good for business bottom lines.

Plus, as Wellhub’s report stated: “CEOs understand that a thriving workforce is a competitive advantage, not just a moral obligation.”

78% of CEOs told Wellhub they see wellbeing as a strategic investment and 97% believe that companies have a responsibility to support employee wellbeing.

CEOs are aware that employees will walk away if their employer doesn’t make wellbeing a priority (66%).

Wellhub found that 58% of CEOs see wellbeing as being critical to their company’s financial success. The return on investment (ROI) isn’t small; 78% saw returns greater than 50%, and 30% saw more than 100% return on their wellbeing programs.

This is a great sign, particularly in a challenging economic environment.

HR have a mission-critical role to the success of wellbeing programs now, and into the future.

The question that remains is how can they continue to keep wellbeing top of the CEO priority list?

HR needs to shift the wellbeing focus from cost to impact

Wellhub’s report is very clear that HR leaders need to really prove that wellbeing is working, for the business and employees.

Numbers speak louder than words when it comes to CEOs – HR, share the ROI metrics that are justifying spend.

Livia Martini, Wellhub’s Chief People Officer, tells UNLEASH: “HR leaders need to stop relying on executive assumptions about employee wellbeing, conduct regular pulse surveys and present leadership with unvarnished employee feedback.

“We found that 58% of CEOs who receive monthly wellness impact updates significantly increased funding, compared to those who only get annual reports.

“It’s important to make wellness visible and measurable – when it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.”

Beyond that, Martini recommends that HR leaders “get your CEO personally involved” in wellbeing initiatives.

“When CEOs engage with programs they’re funding, they become authentic champions rather than skeptical budget holders.

“Encourage your leadership team to participate in fitness challenges, share their wellness journeys, and model the behaviors they want to see,” adds Martini.

Ultimately, Wellhub’s data shows that “CEOs who still view wellness as a warm and fuzzy perk are missing the bigger picture”.

Every hour invested in wellness delivers multiple hours  of peak performance in return. CEOs who recognize this aren’t just enhancing employee wellbeing—they’re strengthening their businesses from the inside out.”