Fewer Employees Say Employers Support Wellbeing

Only one-third of American workers say they regularly participate in the health promotion programs provided by their employer, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Additionally, less than half of working Americans (44%) say the climate in their organization supports employee well-being, and only 41% said their employer helps workers develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The APA survey suggests a key part of the solution is senior leadership support. Nearly three-fourths (73%) of employees with senior managers who show support through involvement and commitment to well-being initiatives said their organization helps employees develop a healthy lifestyle, compared with just 11% who work in an organization without that leadership support, according to “APA’s 2016 Work and Well-Being Survey.” Only four in 10 working Americans said their senior managers are involved in and committed to well-being initiatives.

Four in ten employed adults (41%) report that their employer provides resources to help meet mental health needs, and fewer report receiving sufficient resources from their employers to help manage stress (35%). Both of these are the lowest ever reported since these questions were first asked in 2013.

The current survey found a significant drop in the percentage of employees agreeing that their employer provides its employees with adequate health insurance, down to 53% from 59% last year.