By Phillips Pham, Chief People Officer at Mainetti
For centuries, the pursuit of happiness has been at the heart of the human experience. Today, businesses have a unique opportunity and responsibility to contribute to this mission by supporting employee wellbeing. In so doing, businesses don’t just enhance individual lives, they create the conditions for their own success. A healthy, supported workforce drives resilience, innovation and sustainable growth, proving that when people thrive, businesses thrive too.
A recent study by wellness platform Wellhub highlights that CEOs increasingly view employee wellbeing as a vital strategic investment. According to the Return on Wellbeing 2025 Report, wellness programmes directly increase productivity by 56%, reduce absenteeism by 67%, and improve employee retention by 73%. Moreover, the report found that 78% of businesses prioritising employee wellbeing achieved a return on investment exceeding 50%, with 30% reporting returns of 100%.
A 2025 report by the McKinsey Health Institute found that investing in employee health creates a global economic value opportunity equivalent to 17 to 55% of average annual pay per employee. These organisations minimise healthcare costs, improve productivity, elevate company performance, and enhance organisational resilience. It is therefore evident that employee wellbeing is not a workplace luxury, but a powerful business asset.
The case for investing in employee wellbeing is further reinforced by a 2024 study from Oxford Brookes University, which found that Gen Z workers place a strong emphasis on wellbeing and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As this generation becomes an increasingly integral part of today’s workforce, the demand for meaningful wellbeing initiatives is only set to grow – making it a strategic priority for forward-thinking businesses.
What’s concerning, however, is that employee wellbeing is in decline on a global level – particularly in the UK. Gallup’s 2025 global survey – spanning 160 countries – found that only 10% of workers feel engaged in their current roles, and in the UK, 26% of employees reported work-related sadness. This is up from 19% in 2021. Adding to this, a 2024 study by Johns Hopkins University and Great Place to Work® revealed a downward trend in workplace wellbeing nationwide.
The decline in wellbeing across the UK and the world at large, coupled with younger generations placing greater value on it, creates a push-and-pull dynamic for companies. This tension signals a clear need for change in how businesses support their people, and an opportunity to unlock significant business returns.
Mainetti: How to successfully champion employee wellbeing
Mainetti, a global sustainable packaging producer, is one such company leading the way. In 2022, Happy Mainetti was launched, a wellbeing initiative designed to prioritise the mental and physical health of employees. The approach is underpinned by the Gross National Health (GNH) concept that measures economic and wellbeing progress. The initiative involves an annual GNH survey to evaluate employee wellbeing; training and practice sessions to facilitate mindfulness, gratitude, and active listening; and employee-led activities to maximise proactive engagement in wellness.
Mainetti has deepened its commitment to employee wellbeing through two key initiatives: the Community Garden Project and the Mainetti Academy. The Community Garden promotes environmental conservation across the wider community while providing a vibrant, restorative space for employees to practice mindfulness. Meanwhile, the Mainetti Academy supports employee development through a blended learning model: 70% on-the-job training, 20% social learning, and 10% formal education. Together, these initiatives reflect a holistic approach to wellbeing.
Mainetti Vietnam has measured the impact of the Happy Mainetti campaign and has noted a significant rise in employee satisfaction. The Vietnam branch’s Total Happiness Index increased from 78% in 2023 to 83% in 2024, and, according to the Good Governance domain – which measures employee trust in the company – scores improved from 78% to 81% over the same period. Participation in company-wide activities, including sports days, team-building events, and CSR initiatives, has also grown significantly. Reflecting this positive shift in culture, employee turnover has dropped to just 1% per month.
These outcomes highlight the powerful impact of prioritising employee wellbeing: stronger engagement, deeper trust, and improved retention. Looking ahead, Mainetti plans to roll out additional surveys across all global facilities to better assess the impact of the Happy Mainetti campaign.
Looking ahead – reshaping how your business approaches employee wellbeing
Through the following framework, businesses can uplift their workforce and reap the benefits:
- Define a clear, long-term vision. Anchor your goals in staff wellbeing, stakeholder interest, and a commitment to responsible practices.
- Lead by example. Senior leaders should actively engage in understanding and practicing social-emotional learning and mindfulness to foster a culture of care and empathy.
- Explore proven frameworks. While the GNH model is one approach, studying multiple wellbeing frameworks can help tailor strategies to the unique needs of your employee population.
- Start small, stay agile. Begin with manageable initiatives, measure their impact, and adapt as you go – scaling up the actions that prove most effective.
Workplace wellbeing is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical, mental, and social health. When wellbeing is prioritised and employees feel genuinely supported, organisations lay the groundwork for long-term, sustainable success. A healthy, satisfied workforce is more resilient, adaptive, and better equipped to navigate the uncertainties and hurdles of a world that is forever changing and evolving.
