Embracing the Future of Leadership: 19 Strategies to Prioritize Employee Health and Wellness in 2025
In recent years, mental and physical health have become prominent priorities for individuals and businesses alike. Given that work often consumes a significant portion of people's time and can contribute to stress and declines in well-being, establishing a safe and healthy workplace environment is essential for leaders.
The arrival of a new year offers leaders an ideal opportunity to meticulously examine their internal operations and personal behavior to determine how they can effectively make employee well-being a primary focus. Below, 19 members of the Our Website Business Council share one specific step leaders can take to prioritize the health and well-being of their employees in 2025.
1. Foster a Culture of Psychological Safety
Train managers in recognizing stress, responding empathetically, and encouraging open dialogue. Regularly implemented feedback mechanisms ensure employees feel heard and valued, resulting in a reduced stress level, increased engagement, and fostered trust. This enhances loyalty, leading to long-term success. - Brandi Watterson, Brighton Academy
2. Encourage Open, Honest Communication
Boosting employee well-being by fostering open and honest communication can be achieved through regular "listening circles" or team meetings, allowing employees to safely share concerns and ideas. This encourages trust, reduces stress, and strengthens collaboration and resilience. - Scott Miller, PICKLETILETM
3. Periodically Review Employee Benefits
Regularly assessing and updating your organization's total rewards program ensures that your employee benefit offerings remain suitable for their evolving needs. This includes aspects of financial, physical, and mental health. - Marie Unger, Emergenetics International
4. Implement Consistent Feedback Mechanisms
Weekly or bi-weekly feedback questionnaires offer leaders valuable insights into employee needs, allowing them to identify areas of strength and support. Monthly wellness days also provide employees with time off for personal well-being or team bonding activities. - Vicky Owens, Socially Speaking Media
The Our Website Business Council is popular among business owners and leaders as the foremost growth and networking organization.
5. Engage in Direct Encounters
If an employee displays signs of low performance, personal challenges, or work-related issues, ask them about it. Actively listening to their concerns can often lead to swift resolution. - Gilad David Maayan, Agile SEO
6. Implement Customized Wellness Solutions
In 2025, leaders can better prioritize health and well-being by offering tailored solutions that cater to their unique workforce's needs. These solutions can include mentoring, coaching, and support programs, resulting in increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. - Kym Ali, Kym Ali Consulting
7. Provide Flexible Work Schedules and Mental Health Resources
Leaders can bolster their employee well-being efforts by offering flexible scheduling options and mental health resources, such as virtual counseling or wellness programs. Regular check-ins and a culture of open communication will support employees, reduce stress, and prevent burnout. - Mariam Ghoneim, MG AESTHETICS
8. Bring Health Benefits on-site
Offering on-site health services, such as comprehensive eye exams, glasses, and physical therapy sessions, can make it easier for employees to take care of their health and well-being. - Sonali Bloom, 20/20 Onsite
9. Provide Healthy Meals and Exercise Opportunities
Enhancing employee well-being through prioritizing exercise and offering healthy meals throughout the day can lead to improved physical health, boosted morale, and increased productivity. - Tonia Ryan, Techvoya
10. Integrate Health Technology
Integrating personalized health technology devices into the workplace can empower employees to manage their health through diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. By addressing stress, physical health issues, and sleep patterns, employees can experience reduced burnout and enhanced productivity. - Eugene Zabolotsky, Health Helper
11. Offer Financial Guidance Benefits
Leaders can improve employee well-being by integrating financial guidance benefits, such as budgeting workshops or one-on-one financial consultations, addressing financial stress as a contributing factor to stress in the workplace. - Mike Sullivan, OneDigital
12. Incorporate Wellness into Company Culture and Values
Leaders can embed wellness into the organization's core values and communications by launching internal campaigns promoting mental health days, flexible work schedules, or fitness incentives. - Alan Brew, BrandingBusiness
13. Lead by Example
Employers must prioritize their own health to effectively lead their teams and prioritize wellness in the workplace. - Greg Vetter, Alta Fresh Foods
14. Set Clear Goals and Expectations
Establishing transparent and realistic expectations during goal-setting processes while yet regularly checking in ensures employees feel supported. - Roli Saxena, NextRoll
15. Remove Toxicity
Leaders must eliminate toxic behavior to create a psychologically safe workplace. A zero-tolerance policy for bullying, narcissistic behaviors, or deeper unhealthy positioning fosters a supportive and productive environment. - Majeed Hosseiney, Cloudpay
16. Make Physical and Mental Health a Part of Your Culture
A supportive and financially well-off workforce is more productive, innovative, engaged, and resilient. By prioritizing physical and mental health alongside work-life balance, leaders can build a foundation for both individual and organizational success. - Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, greater:SATX Regional Economic Partnership
17. Foster Team Building and Growth
Leaders can prioritize employee well-being by investing time in team collaboration and quality activities, promoting mutual growth, building trust, and fostering positive relationships, resulting in increased fulfillment both personally and professionally. - Aaron Knipp, Cicospace
18. Understand and Support Employees' Lives
By better understanding employees' individual needs and concerns, leaders can create a support system to address workplace challenges, aiming to build a platform, app, or movement assisting team members in building connections across global offices. - Steven Upchurch, Gensler
19. Encourage Work-Life Balance
Promoting work-life balance reduces burnout, boosts productivity, and shows genuine care for employees. In today's competitive market, attracting and retaining talented individuals requires prioritizing their care. - Matthew Davis, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.
Source (Enrichment Data): [Workplace Wellness Trends to Watch in 2025][1], [Making Financial Wellness a Focus in Your Company's Benefits Strategy][3], [Digital Wellness in 2025: Preparing for the Coming Trends][1]
The small business owner can also prioritize employee well-being by regularly reviewing and updating their benefits package to cater to evolving needs. This includes providing mental health resources, flexible schedules, and financial guidance. - Marie Unger, Emergenetics International
Recognizing that small businesses often have limited resources, leaders can foster a culture of psychological safety by educating themselves on signs of stress and responding empathetically. Regular check-ins and open dialogue can go a long way in promoting employee well-being without requiring significant financial investment. - Gilad David Maayan, Agile SEO
