The ROI of Wellness: Why Investing in Employee Wellbeing Makes Business Sense
That’s where corporate wellness comes in.
What is Corporate Wellness?
Corporate wellness refers to programs and initiatives that support the physical, mental, and emotional health of employees. This could include weekly fitness sessions, mental health support, team wellness challenges, ergonomic improvements, or access to personal training and nutrition guidance.
When done right, wellness isn’t just about offering perks—it’s about creating a workplace culture that values and supports overall wellbeing.
Verified Data on Malaysian Corporate Wellness
- According to the Malaysia’s Healthiest Workplace by AIA Vitality survey (2017), Malaysian employees lose an average of 67 working days per year due to absenteeism and presenteeism, costing organizations around RM 2.7 million annually (https://shorturl.at/PJ7sd)
- A similar survey in 2018 reported an increase to 73.1 lost days per employee, mainly from presenteeism, with a cost of approximately RM 2.27 million per company .
- The 2019 follow-up confirmed ongoing challenges: employees worked 15 hours more than contracted hours, suffered stress, poor sleep, and lost around 73 days per year—costing RM 1.46 million per employer (https://shorturl.at/36NnI)
- A Willis Towers Watson employer survey (2022) found 97% of Malaysian organizations value physical wellbeing, 95% emotional wellbeing, with over 50% planning to expand mental health and financial wellbeing support (https://shorturl.at/hwxH2)
Wellness = ROI
Why should companies care? Because the numbers speak for themselves:
- Lower Medical Costs: Healthy employees are less likely to fall sick, which reduces healthcare claims and medical leave.
- Increased Productivity: When people feel good, they perform better. Energy levels, focus, and motivation all improve.
- Higher Retention: Employees are more likely to stay with companies that care about their wellbeing. It boosts loyalty and morale.
- Better Workplace Culture: Wellness activities build stronger teams, encourage engagement, and reduce workplace stress.
A Human-Centered Strategy
At the heart of corporate wellness is a simple idea: when people feel better, they do better. Investing in your team’s wellbeing is not just good HR—it’s smart business.
