In 2026, workplace wellbeing is no longer a "nice to have" – it's an important part of running a healthy, successful organisation.
When employees feel supported, they're more likely to be engaged, productive and able to thrive at work. When wellbeing is overlooked, organisations can experience increased absence, higher staff turnover and reduced morale.
As our understanding of mental health has grown, so has the evidence showing that workplace culture, leadership and working environments all have a significant impact on wellbeing.
Read on to find out why workplace wellbeing matters and how Workplace Partnerships could help your organisation create positive change.
What the research tells us
- 49% of all work-related ill health cases are caused by stress, depression or anxiety, while 54% of working days lost due to work-related ill health are linked to these conditions. (Health and Safety Executive, 2023/24)
- 76% of organisations identify mental ill health as a leading cause of long-term absence. (CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work Survey, 2023)
- £150 billion is the estimated annual cost of ill health to the UK economy, with long-term health conditions continuing to impact workforce participation. (CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work Report, 2025)
- Businesses can see an average return of £4.70 for every £1 invested in workplace mental health support. (Deloitte, 2024)
Together, these findings highlight the vital role employers can play in supporting good mental health and wellbeing at work.
What does this mean for your organisation?
Workplace wellbeing isn't separate from organisational performance – it's closely connected to it.
Organisations that invest in employee wellbeing are more likely to:
- improve employee engagement
- reduce absence and related costs
- retain skilled and experienced staff
- build healthier, more resilient teams
Supporting wellbeing isn't just the right thing to do for your people. It can also help create a stronger, more sustainable organisation.