The World Health Organization (WHO) has just published alarming statistics showing that employee mental health issues result in a US$1 trillion (£747 billion) loss in productivity each year. The WHO has called on employers to take urgent action by introducing comprehensive well-being programs to tackle the escalating mental health crisis in the workplace.
But the problem is that many workplace well-being programs don't work. A UK study which looked at 46,336 employees from 233 organizations found there was no evidence that a range of common workplace well-being initiatives—including mindfulness and stress management classes, one-to-one mental health coaching, well-being apps or volunteering work—improved employee well-being.
So despite companies investing over US$60 billion annually worldwide in well-being programs, they appear to make little impact.
There are a number of reasons why these programs don't work—and understanding them is the only way companies will be able to make these programs effective.
Motivation