Corporate wellness in companies is not a new concept, and in fact, many companies have already implemented corporate wellness programs for their employees for many years. However, continuing the same practices may become boring to employees, and the effectiveness might not be significant anymore. Implementing new wellness activities and concepts is probably the best way to attract employees' attention to stay active and engaged in wellness activities, paving the way for the future of corporate wellness in Malaysia. But what works best in Malaysia, and what are the current trends worldwide that we can take as examples? Let’s explore 5 wellness trends that are likely to emerge in the corporate setting in 2025—some of the most innovative corporate wellness trends 2025.
Execution of Corporate Wellness Programs Using AI
It is undeniable that the use of AI is rising dramatically in mid-2024, and this rapid growth can be seen as a medium that companies will use to aid wellness activities. With AI's help, it is believed that it will be easier for healthcare professionals to gather data on employees’ health metrics, stress levels, work habits, and even conduct wellness challenges. Manual data entry can be minimized, leading to higher productivity and fewer human errors in data collection. Examples of incorporating AI in wellness include collecting data and analyzing it—a hallmark of AI-powered wellness programs and data-driven corporate wellness. At some point, AI could help recommend the best wellness solutions, much like humans do, and its recommendations are sometimes tailored well to the wellness issues, making it more efficient in conducting corporate wellness activities. Additionally, the development of wellness apps, mindfulness exercises, and virtual fitness classes makes it possible to conduct wellness activities anytime and anywhere, similar to other wellness apps for corporates.
Hybrid Work as a Wellness Initiative
In the last two years, we implemented work-from-home (WFH) during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the working environment shifted from the office to home. Many people were affected by this change, but it gradually became the norm, and individuals started to enjoy working from home as it provides more focus compared to working in an office. However, some individuals might feel that it also leads to burnout or depression due to the lack of social interaction, as most of the time, we work alone in our room or at a specific working desk at home. It is believed that hybrid work could bring balance in this matter and promote mental well-being among employees, reflecting the growing trend of hybrid work and employee well-being. In certain countries such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany, a 4-day work week has been implemented to promote work-life balance—a trend that aligns with evolving work-life balance initiatives 2025. Although this concept is still debated in Malaysia, it is possible that some companies will implement this in 2025 to align with global trends.
Emphasizing Digital Detox
Technology can be a great tool in our daily lives, making our work easier, but excessive use of technology can be harmful to individuals. It is clear that everyone spends more time on gadgets and technology. We are exposed to a working environment that requires technology, such as laptops and mobile phones—two essential tools that every employee must have. Consequently, this leads to health issues such as eye strain, neck and back pain, and sleep disorders. According to the 2024 Workplace Vision Health Report, a survey conducted on 800 human resource leaders and 800 full-time remote, hybrid, and on-site employees, it was found that employees' screen time averages 96.1 hours per week, which is equivalent to four full days. Over the year, this amounts to about 208 days, accounting for 57% of the entire year. This is alarming, and employers should take action toward employees' wellness. It is predicted that there will be a rise in digital detox wellness as an employee wellness initiative for 2025—evidence of increasing adoption of corporate digital detox programs and digital detox initiatives in the workplace.
Demand for Financial Wellness
A report by the Financial Education and Well-being Research Centre on the correlation between money and mental well-being found that almost 3 out of 10 (26%) Malaysian working adults (MWAs) are suffering from varying degrees of financial stress, which requires psychiatric attention. Additionally, 41% of MWAs said that financial stress affects their mental well-being. More than half of financially stressed MWAs (65%) admitted that financial stress affects their job performance. Clearly, financial stress affects employees' performance in the workplace, indicating a demand for financial wellness programs. In a newly published survey by the same research center, it was found that only 48% of companies have invested in financial education programs, while 78% of MWAs would consider joining such a program if it were conducted in their workplace. This underscores the growing importance of financial wellness for employees and highlights the need for corporate financial wellness initiatives Malaysia.
Ergonomic Workplace and Environmental Wellness
Research has shown that the presence of plants in residential environments is associated with human health and well-being, both physically and mentally. This also applies to the workplace—the presence of plants and a green environment boosts productivity and enhances employees' motivation to work. It’s an amazing fact that not many people are aware of. By contrast, employers spend less on green and plant decoration in the workplace, though some companies invest thousands to fill their workspaces with plants. Why are green plants good for employee well-being? It has been found that indoor plants in office settings directly or indirectly contribute to employees' well-being. The indirect effect is that plants reduce excessive carbon dioxide in the office atmosphere. Additionally, they can reduce noise, though their capacity to do so is limited. The prominent effect is that the presence of healthy plants can make office spaces more attractive, which also helps boost work motivation. Decorating offices with more healthy plants is gaining popularity as one of the initiatives to support the health and mental well-being of employees—key components of ergonomic workplace wellness and green office wellness solutions.
What do you think of these 5 wellness trends that are predicted to gain popularity in 2025?
