Despite a growing wave of return-to-office (RTO) mandates, hybrid work is here to stay. In fact, three out of four companies report challenges enforcing their RTO policies. This shift signals a permanent evolution in how and where employees work, highlighting the need to reimagine workplace wellness. To keep on-site and hybrid employees healthy and engaged, organizations need to offer solutions that meet people where they are. Discover the top considerations for establishing a wellness culture in a hybrid workplace that truly reaches every employee.
Beyond Mandates: Well-Being Still Matters
Employees care deeply about wellness, and they’re seeking employers who do, too. They’re also vocal about wanting a variety of benefits. Consider these findings from recent surveys:
- 59% would consider switching jobs for better well-being benefits.
- 80% said they’d feel more supported if wellness activities were offered, especially Gen Z and millennials.
- 65% named gym memberships as their top preferred benefit.
- 46% indicate that they would participate in mindfulness and meditation sessions, with a high level of interest from working parents.
The Foundations for a Wellness Culture
It’s clear: employees want support for their physical and mental well-being, and they expect that support to fit their lives, whether they work from home or the office. Although building and nurturing a culture of well-being that reaches every employee may feel overwhelming, it can be done with a few key considerations:
1. Start with Employee Insights
A successful wellness culture starts with listening. Use quick, targeted surveys to uncover what employees really want. Don’t assume—ask. Their input will guide decisions that lead to stronger engagement. (Click here for a simple fitness benefit survey template.)
2. Get Leadership Involved
Leaders set the tone for workplace culture. When they visibly support and participate in wellness programs, employees take notice. Ideally, managers would also protect time in the day for wellness activities, signaling that wellness isn’t just encouraged; it’s expected.
3. Make Wellness Messaging Ongoing
It’s not enough to announce a program and hope for participation. Keep wellness front and center with consistent year-round communication. Share the “why” behind your offerings, spotlight success stories, and keep the conversation going to sustain momentum.
4. Use Fitness Challenges to Spark Connection
Workplace fitness challenges go beyond simple step counts — they help support a wellness culture. Along with increasing physical activity, they encourage friendly competition and help employees feel a part of something bigger. For hybrid teams, these challenges can bridge the gap between remote and in-office staff, leading to improved teamwork and collaboration in the workplace.
Aaptiv’s team-based challenges and online community provide an easy way to launch inclusive competitions while also making exercise more motivating and fun.
5. Offer Options that Fit Every Lifestyle
Employees have different fitness levels, preferences, and goals. Offering a combination of digital and in-person wellness options ensures everyone has access to what works best for them. (A recent report found that employees who used a combination of in-person and digital wellness options had double the engagement rate of those who did not.)
Using personalized fitness apps that offer on-demand video and audio classes, employees can select coaching and workouts that fit their lifestyles and schedules, which is especially important in a hybrid workplace.
6. Gym Memberships Still Top the List
While variety matters, don’t overlook the basics. Free or discounted gym and class memberships remain the most sought-after exercise-related benefit, according to a recent survey by PEAR Health Labs, the AI platform behind the Aaptiv app. Given that in-person wellness options, along with digital programs, increase engagement, offering gym access is an easy way to give employees what they want.
Aaptiv: Your partner to build a wellness culture in a hybrid workplace
Aaptiv provides employees with access to one of the largest gym networks in the country, featuring over 20,000 locations, including national brands and boutique studios. The Aaptiv gym network is available exclusively as an employer or health plan benefit, with multiple membership options to fit any wellness budget.
A strong wellness culture doesn’t just happen. It’s built through intention, inclusivity, and consistent effort. By listening to employees, leading by example, and offering flexible wellness options, organizations can create a culture that supports every employee, wherever they may work.
Learn more about Aaptiv employee wellness and fitness benefits.
