Why Employee Wellbeing is the New Business Imperative

Talk to any HR professional today, and one concern surfaces again and again: employee mental health. Stress, anxiety, and difficulty focusing have become common challenges in workplaces worldwide, with recent research from WorkPlace Options highlighting just how widespread the issue has become.

The rise of hybrid work was meant to restore balance, but according to global research by Steelcase,  a global leader in office furniture and solutions, satisfaction with work-life balance has actually declined over the past three years, even as productivity levels held steady. People are feeling stretched, disconnected, and overwhelmed by a rate of change they simply can’t keep up with. As sociologist Brené Brown puts it, many of us are “living beyond human scale.”

Wellbeing now ranks just behind family as a top priority for people, according to Steelcase, with work falling to fourth place. The generational divide is especially stark: Gallup’s 2024 report found that 69% of workers under 35 said they weren’t thriving in 2023. As Gen Z becomes a major force in the workforce, this disconnect is only set to grow unless businesses adapt.

The good news? Some leaders are listening. A 2024 Steelcase study found 38% of global leaders plan to prioritise employee wellbeing in the next two years. Rejuvenation spaces – areas designed for decompression, privacy, and sensory control – are gaining traction, especially for neurodiverse individuals and anyone navigating post-pandemic hybrid routines.

As McKinsey’s Liz Hilton Segel explains, well-being should be treated as a measurable business input, not just a moral imperative, but a strategy for innovation, trust, and performance. When people feel seen and supported, they don’t just survive, they thrive. And when businesses design for the whole person, everyone wins.

Steelcase is locally available from Inspiration Office. Creators of bespoke office solutions, Inspiration Office is the leading supplier of office furniture in South Africa. Founded in 2005, today, the company has offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town and stocks an impressive range of award-winning international brands and products, from seating to accessories to streamline your office and workday.

For more visit Inspiration Office
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