It’s Friday, HR Heroes! 🦸 May is Global Employee Health & Fitness Month — but let's be real: wellness is more than step counts and sad desk salads. Time to redefine what “healthy” looks like at work…

On the agenda: 

🔆 Redefining wellness: Programs & initiatives that work
👀 Mental health matters: See the insights in this infographic
💭 Feedback Form: To enhance employee experience [TEMPLATE]

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

Redefining Wellness: Programs & Initiatives That Actually Work

Let’s be honest — workplace wellness isn’t about flavored water or ping-pong tables anymore. In 2025, it’s about meaningful, holistic programs that support employees as whole people, not just numbers on a health chart. Today, 93% of employees say mental health support is just as important as their salary.

What Actually Works:

• Mental health days, mindfulness sessions, or peer support programs.

• Flexible hours and walking meetings are gaining ground.

• Fitbit challenges are cool, but so is dancing between Zooms. 🕺

• Nourishing snacks beat vending machine regret.

• Nutrition workshops + access to better food = more focused teams.

• Wellness programs that address stress, sleep, financial health, and connection show a clear boost in retention and productivity.

👉 Ready to refresh your wellness strategy (without the yoga mats)? Explore Wellness Programs that really work »

TREND WATCH

More Employees Prioritize Mental Health at Work, SHRM Study Shows

Supporting mental health at work is a complex challenge, and it takes action and commitment from everyone in the organization. SHRM Thought Leadership surveyed 1,193 U.S. workers and 2,076 HR professionals in February 2025, and 16,000 workers across 16 countries from February to June 2024.

• Younger workers are more likely to feel stressed because of their job.

• Workplace Stress Is Primarily Driven by Workload and Pay/Compensation

• Workplace Fulfillment Is Primarily Driven by Making a Difference and Recognition

See the full infographic and insights »

🧠 Employees Reject 360-Degree Reviews — Survey prompts HR to reconsider feedback mechanisms. [SHRM]

🏥 5 Health Plan Regulation Trends to Watch — How the new administration's policies are reshaping workplace health benefits. [HR Executive]

🤖 HR Managers Least at Risk from AI — HR roles among the least affected by AI advancements, highlighting the enduring value of human-centric skills. [HR Grapevine]

🎓 HR Focus on Micro-Credentials — The demand that emphasizes the need for continuous employee development. [Unleash AI]

📊 Workforce Benchmarking Report Released — Aura Intelligence's report unveils key trends in HR space. [TecHR Series]

HR WISDOM

10 Key Ways to Increase Employee Happiness

Keeping your employees happy is the ultimate way to drive your organisation forward. A happy workforce is not only more productive but can also contribute to a more engaging and collaborative work environment.

On the other hand, an unmotivated workforce can not only negatively affect employee morale but result in loss of revenue and higher turnover. By investing in your employees’ happiness, you can turn this all around.  

To help you achieve this, we have put together a list of the best ways to Boost Employee Happiness »

WEEKLY HR GOODY

A Feedback Form to Enhance Employee Experience [TEMPLATE]

Gathering feedback from your team members is an excellent way to make improvements that matter. The more you invest in understanding your employees’ needs and opinions, the more you can retain your strongest assets and attract more talent. Grab this downloadable and printable Employee Feedback template — it’s on the house!

BREAKROOM