Employee engagement and workplace wellness may not be the buzzwords they once were, but they still matter. Burnout is real, and it’s not going away. Failing to take steps to mitigate it could cost your business 15-20% of your payroll budget per year.
On top of that, burnt-out employees are 63% less likely to show up for work and twice as likely to look for a new job.
When businesses have workplace wellness programs, 89% of employees feel happy and engaged at work. So here are some less talked about—but still important and effective—employee engagement strategies that can boost your workplace wellness in 2026.
Offer bereavement leave
Employee engagement isn’t just about fun activities. Sometimes it’s about meeting employees where they’re at. If they’ve just lost someone they love, coming into work is going to be the last thing they want to do. However, they may worry about job security so feel that they don’t have a choice.
Having a clear bereavement leave policy—so that both managers and employees know what’s expected and what to do if an employee loses someone they love—means everyone is treated equally. Employees also get treated with compassion and respect during a difficult time.
Grieving doesn’t happen in a straight line, nor does it neatly finish within a couple of weeks. Especially if those couple of weeks also require an employee to focus on work when their mind is elsewhere.
Supporting employees during their toughest times can improve employee engagement and retention in the long-term because they feel valued. Seen. Treated like an actual human being. These shouldn’t be workplace perks, they should be basic human rights. But so often, they wind up as forgotten parts of workplace wellness.
Provide mental health support
We live in a complicated world, and that’s not going away. Mental health support can provide employees with the tools to handle at least some of these complex challenges.
With 91% of businesses wanting to invest more in their workforce mental health solutions, not offering this could put your employer brand at a disadvantage on top of the cost to your employees’ short- and long-term health.
It’s important not to forget that workplace wellness encompasses both physical and mental (and emotional!) health.
Make sure employees use their PTO
This shouldn’t need to be said, but it’s all too easy for employees to forget to take time off because they’re simply too busy. That’s a sign that you’re overloading your workers and they feel like they’ll fall behind if they go and get a sandwich.
It’s not just about breaks, though.
Many employees don’t use their PTO because they want a buffer in case something goes wrong. In fact, just 51% of employees use all their PTO in any given year. That’s a lot of time to recharge and disconnect going unused.
Instead of requiring employees to use PTO for illness or emergencies, why not have dedicated policies for these things? An employee shouldn’t have to sacrifice rest time because they came down with a bug or their child is sick.
And while we’re at it, if you’ve got an “unlimited PTO” policy, let’s be serious: the subtext is no time off. Let’s just give employees some actual, concrete time to switch off, yeah?
While employees taking time off may sound bad for business, that’s short-term thinking. Prioritizing rest and workplace wellness will ensure your team is ready to give their best and stay with your organization for the long-term.
Give them the right equipment
A little accommodation goes a long way. At a previous role, I had a really bad back. They got me a coccyx cushion to take the pressure off, and it sort of helped. But my back still spasmed from time to time, making walking a challenge.
At my next role, I had a more ergonomic chair. My back problems went away. Nothing else had changed.
Except that now, I could concentrate more at work because I wasn’t in as much pain. I got more done, I was happier, and I was more engaged at work because I felt supported by my employer.
Sure, the cushion was cheaper. But it wasn’t a fix. It was just the only thing they were willing to offer.
Sometimes investing in the more expensive solution is what will get you the biggest rewards when it comes to workplace wellness (and therefore make you more money in the long-run).
Cut back on the meetings
Some companies see meetings as the solution to everything. But they can be a huge time sink and they don’t always mean you get things done. They’re far more open to tangents and people talking over each other than asynchronous communication. The latter forces people to clarify their thoughts and can mean quieter employees are more likely to get heard.
There’s a fine line, though. It’s good to have time to speak to your colleagues, especially as some people come across very differently in writing compared to when they speak. Meetings can help with employee connections and communication, too.
But when they start to take up an employee’s entire workweek, you have to wonder if they’re really as effective as they seem. And you have to consider their impact on employee wellbeing and workplace wellness.
Walk in nature
Nature is hugely beneficial for our wellbeing (and for workplace wellness!). It can help us feel calmer, for example. This can be useful for difficult conversations, or just to relax after a challenging meeting.
Walking meetings in nature are also useful for idea generation. And, walking side-by-side can make difficult conversations easier as they feel less confrontational.
One-on-ones are the perfect opportunity for a walking meeting, or any other that involves a small team or requires some creative thinking.
Give back with volunteer days
Recent research has found that having a purpose in life can improve our cognitive health.
However, many people can’t do this because they’re living paycheck to paycheck.
Giving employees the opportunity to volunteer for a local nonprofit, or a cause that’s important to them—while still getting paid for it—provides them with a sense of fulfillment without sacrificing security.
It’s also great for workplace wellness and for your employer brand, showing you care about more than just profits.
Offer personal project time
Personal projects can give employees a chance to try new things, get to know new tools, or challenge traditional ways of doing things.
Whether they have an afternoon a week to explore, or a week every quarter, it’s an opportunity for employees to innovate.
You never know—they could come up with something that could benefit your business. In addition to the benefits to employee happiness and workplace wellness.
Conclusion
Boosting workplace wellness isn’t just about the fun stuff like days out. It’s also about supporting employees through difficult times and offering them opportunities to learn, grow, and explore other interests.
If you’d like to make it easier for your employees to take part in employee engagement activities and boost workplace wellness, why not try Workrowd? You can keep all your employee initiatives in one place, making them faster to find and join in on. Get in touch today to book your free demo.
