Gympass: The State of Work-Life Wellness Report '22

29
FOREWORD
by Cesar Carvalho, CEO, Gympass 3 17
22
8
6
EMPLOYEES
MIND
LIFE
27
ARTICLES
COMPANIES
WORK-LIFE
BODY
12
THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 INDEX 2

01 ― FOREWORD
THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 3
The impetus for
By Cesar Carvalho
Founder & CEO of Gympass
FOREWORD
01.

The data suggests that the issue is in how
we compartmentalize and prioritize our
lives at home and work. This is an
experience I know all too well, and is
something I – like many others – have
struggled with in the past. We tend to focus
more on one (usually work) at the expense
of the other (our personal wellbeing).
With one third of our lives spent working¹, the only
thing we’ll do more of is sleep. If we’re going to
spend so much of our time at work, shouldn’t we
also pay more attention to how our lives are going
at work?
We’ve done our homework, and the results show
that the relationship between work and life is not
very healthy; employee stress is at an all-time
high², 60% of employees are emotionally
detached at work², and even worse, Gympass’
own research found that 48% of employees said
their wellbeing declined in 2022. To put it simply:
we’re in a crisis of wellbeing, and as employers,
we have a responsibility to confront this crisis
head-on.
This realization came to me when I found myself
working extremely long hours, not spending
enough time with my family, stressed out and
overall just feeling unhealthy – both physically and
mentally. This was the impetus for making 2021 my
year of wellbeing. I committed to visiting Gympass’
partner gyms & studios, picked up a meditation
practice, and started playing tennis again. A few of
the big – albeit not totally surprising – changes I
noticed after making this shift were an influx of
better reviews as a leader, a better top-down
ability to drive results for the company, and greater
fulfillment in my personal relationships. I was
thriving, and it all stemmed from being able to
prioritize my wellbeing. I want to help as many
people as I can to experience the same.
Clearly, the way
we’re approaching
work isn’t working.
THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 01 ― FOREWORD 4

The following Gympass report analyzes work-life
wellness through three lenses: body, mind, and life.
We’ve gathered insights from thousands of
employees around the world, predicted key trends
for 2023, and offered critical recommendations for
HR leaders to bridge their organizations’ work-life
wellness gap.
As leaders, we must realize that our
responsibility to our employees extends
beyond the typical workday. It’s not enough
to simply encourage our teams to live healthy
lifestyles. We must give them the tools and
resources needed to actually make wellbeing
accessible and universal. The research tells
us that when employees are healthy,
business thrives.
Cesar Carvalho
We, as leaders, all want
our employees to thrive,
both at work and in
their personal lives. But
we must first listen to
our people to make
that vision possible, so
let’s hear what they
have to say.
Companies with highly engaged
employees see 23% higher profits2.
Employees who exercise regularly
are 15% more likely to have better
job performance3.
Employees who eat healthy are
25% more likely to have better
job performance3.
THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 01 ― FOREWORD

THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 02 ― WORK-LIFE 6
WORK-LIFE
02.
Why Work-Life Wellness
Can Save The Workforce
As We Know It

Why Work-Life
Wellness Can Save
The Workforce As
We Know It
In the following pages,we’ll examine the state of
work-life wellness through several lenses to create
comprehensive,tangible takeaways that every
workplace can deploy.
Let’s get started.
The History of Work-Life Balance
The term ‘work-life balance’ has been thrown
around since the ‘70s⁴ to add depth to the
experience of juggling work, family, and life. It’s
been 50 years since the term was coined, and
suffice to say much has changed since then in
both work and life. Frankly, we’re overdue for an
update.
‘Work-life wellness’ is an attainable state of
mind-body wellbeing that’s found at the
intersection of life and work. It’s where life
experiences in and out of the office interact to
the benefit of employee happiness, health, and
performance. Now more than ever before,
leaders and businesses alike must understand
this space and anticipate what’s to come in it.
The Need for Work-Life Wellness
The Emergence of Work-Life Integration
Many of us strive for the mythical utopia of
‘work-life balance’. But, the truth is that there’s
no such thing – and perhaps there never was.
Chasing this unattainable idea of ‘balance’
leads to frustration and despair with employees
because it remains ever-unreachable. Rather
than compartmentalizing and dividing time
equally between work and life, we should fuel
people as whole beings both in and out of the
workplace. The lines between work and life are
blurred despite the most valiant of efforts to
clear them. It’s time to stop drawing lines in the
sand, and instead allow work to play its
rightfully vital role in our overall wellbeing.
02 ― WORK-LIFE

EMPLOYEES
03.
Expectations
Rising To Meet Employees’
03 ― EMPLOYEES

THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 03 ― EMPLOYEES 9
Over the past few years, several coinciding
conditions have inspired the global workforce to
reflect and redefine what ‘health’ means, and
how it plays into more areas of life than ever
before.
This new health economy adds another layer of
consideration for consumers and employees⁵.
Last year, Ipsos found that 70% of consumers
across 25 markets reported they tend to spend
money with brands whose values reflect their
own⁶.
This collective mindshift is reflected in the
significant rise in employee expectations, with
an increasingly non-negotiable need for
wellbeing at work⁷. Where people spend their
money and where people earn it may come
down to this very thing.
To learn more, Gympass surveyed
over 9,000 employees across 9
markets on their thoughts and
behaviors surrounding wellbeing
and the workplace.
Rising To Meet
Employees’Elevated
Expectations
77% say they would
consider leaving a
company that doesn’t
focus on wellbeing
83% believe their
wellbeing is just as
important as their
salary
85% are more likely to
stay in their role if their
employer focused more
on wellbeing

Whether it’s how they spend their money
or where they work, people have more
choices today than ever before. As
workplaces evolve in tandem, there’s a
chance for employers to get ahead by
demonstrating a deep understanding of
their employees’ priorities. Living during
the time of ‘The Great Resignation,’ the
prospect of wellbeing at work is a key
factor in career decisions, and presents
an easy differential for potential
employers.
EMPLOYEES
03.
Ranking in order of
importance when
considering a role:
1. Salary
2. Wellbeing
Benefits
3. Career
Progression
4. Flexible Working
Practices
5. Vacation
Days
6. Work/Life
Balance
7. Pension
Contribution
8. Opportunities for
Further Training
GLOBAL

Employees
03.
Key Takeaways
We’ve entered a new
health economy with
an increased emphasis
on personal wellbeing
People have greater
choices surrounding
both where they
spend money and
where they work
Workplace priorities
are shifting to factor in
the way employers
take care of their
employees
Companies who act
sooner than later can
set themselves apart

04 ― BODY
BODY
04.

But, this success also
hinges on a workforce
that feels physically
well enough not only
to be present in their roles, but to
perform them at their highest level.
At the root of every
successful company are
its people – nothing is
possible without them.
04 ― BODY
When it comes to keeping employees
well, exercise is a powerful tool. Regular
exercise has been found to reduce poor
mental health days by 40% per year⁸.
And, in addition to keeping your
employees feeling their best, making
exercise a part of company culture can
lead to bottom-line impacts. 75% of
employee medical costs are accrued
mostly due to preventable conditions⁹. In
the spirit of prevention, fitness is an
excellent place to start.
It likely won’t come as a surprise that with
today’s broad range of in-person gyms,
at-home equipment, and digital
resources, fitness has reached nearly all
corners of the consumer landscape. So,
what’s the next frontier? Finding
enjoyment and novelty in physical
activity¹⁰.
Body

04 ― BODY
USA Brazil
UK
Core
Conditioning
Cardio
Weight Lifting
Strength
Training
Dance
Top 5 Exercise
Types Per Country
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Cycling
Yoga
Cardio
Strength
Training
Core
Conditioning
Weight Lifting
Cardio
Core
Conditioning
Strength
Training
Pilates

THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 04 ― BODY 15
In Brazil and the UK, our survey respondents
ranked exercise as their favorite way to manage
stress. People are turning to fitness not only to
care for their physical health, but as a mental
outlet, too.
For many, 2020 was a wakeup call that good
health isn’t a given. 74% of US consumers agree
the pandemic has made them more concerned
about the health of their family¹¹. This has given
rise to a new health economy, in which
consumers will expect the brands they interact
with to help them prioritize their physical and
mental wellbeing. This extends to the
employee-employer relationship as well.
While this new healthy economy was initially
rooted in COVID concerns, it presents a vital
opportunity for employers. Just 1 in 4 employees
strongly believe that their company cares about
their wellbeing¹², so for the companies that care,
demonstration has to be overt.
Companies that enable their employees to take
better care of their health will wind up with a
more productive workforce who feels a
stronger affinity for their company.
And, we’ve seen a clear link between active
Gympass usage and reduced employee
turnover. In a study we conducted with 17 U.S.
clients, we analyzed 5,000+ employees and
found that those who used Gympass for just 2
months were 43% less likely to quit.
For employees with existing fitness and
wellness routines, a resource that allows them
to take their routines to the next level and
optimize their experiences is key. These
employees are looking for ways to keep fitness
interesting. A network with thousands of options
means individuals like this can find – and easily
access – a solution for every want and need.
Savvy employers won’t
miss the chance to meet
their workforce on their
individual fitness
journeys that span from
the mundane to the
never-been-done-before.

There is an undeniable
mind-body connection
that makes fitness a
critical tool in mental
health & overall wellbeing
By now, fitness has
reached nearly all
corners of the
consumer landscape
People inherently test
and optimize until they
find what works for them
in fitness, and employers
should look to support
their employees in this
process
Key Takeaways
Body
04.
04 ― BODY

05 ― MIND
MIND
05.

05 ― MIND
Offering employees resources is just the first step.
Making a significant change around mental health is
about more than simply supplying resources, it’s about
offering the right ones that get to the root of issues that
employees struggle with.
With a staggering 25% of employees reporting burnout
“very often” or “always”¹³, it’s clear that the issue of
chronic workplace stress¹⁴ will not resolve on its own. In
fact, it’s likely to worsen if ignored.
Employees want to feel better whether they struggle
with mental strife or burnout, but they need employers
to provide easy, tangible ways to do so.
This creates an opportunity for every company to
promote a happier and healthier workforce by
modeling empathy and wellbeing from the top down.
Employees want to feel better whether they struggle
with mental strife or burnout, but they need employers
to provide easy, tangible ways to do so.
This creates an opportunity for every company to
promote a happier and healthier workforce by
modeling empathy and wellbeing from the top down.
Mind
support where needed,
while also proactively
helping employees build
emotional resilience?
What role do
employers play in
providing

36% of respondents worldwide
do not think their employer
demonstrates commitment to
their wellbeing
85% said they would be more
likely to stay in their current
role if their employer better
prioritized their wellbeing
of respondents rated their
wellbeing as “okay, poor, or
struggling”
struggling”
struggling”
How employees are
feeling around the
world when it comes
to their own
wellbeing
GLOBAL
USA BRAZIL
UK
46%
56% 20%
05 ― MIND

05 ― MIND
No matter the size of the gap, there is an
opportunity for employers to be the missing
piece of this wellbeing puzzle and help their
workforce feel better and supported.
In light of employees’ increased focus on their
own wellbeing and how it is or isn’t being
supported, employees are also looking to their
employers for emotional resilience and
psychological safety¹⁵.
Emotional resilience doesn't just happen
overnight. From mental strength-building tools
to ‘emotional workouts,’ employees will expect
their companies to help them develop the
emotional resilience they need to thrive in an
uncertain and troubled world¹⁶.
Resources that build mental strength aren’t
always quite as straightforward as the tools we
use to improve physical fitness.
‘Emotional workouts’ encompass all of the
measures and practices people take to care for
their mental health, combat negative thoughts,
and increase emotional resilience. These include
traditional measures, like a seat on the
therapist's couch or a meditation practice, but
they also encompass so much more. Digital
innovations and apps are breaking down
old-school notions of what constitutes mental
health by reducing the barriers to tools and
resources.
Organizations that take a proactive approach to
helping employees develop resilience and
mental strength will undoubtedly create a
healthier and more engaged workforce capable
of driving even better business outcomes.
‘emotional
workouts’.
In lieu of dumbbells and
stationary bikes are the
components needed for

People want to improve
their mental health, but
they need easy and
tangible ways to do it
There’s a gap between
the demand for mental
health services and their
current availability
Employers can be a
strong influence on
the emotional
resiliency of their
workforce
Key Takeaways
Mind
05.
05 ― MIND

06 ― LIFE
LIFE
06.

THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 06 ― LIFE
At any given time, it could be said
that life is the most stressful it has
ever been. But in
recent times, this has
never been more true.
And, as a result, people’s entire
mindsets have shifted.
Life Expectations are higher in the office, social media is constantly
causing us to compare ourselves with others, and efforts to be
switched on at all times – personally and professionally – are causing
many to burn through their mental and physical reserves. Amid a
growing focus on wellbeing, individuals are confronting the negative
impact of always-on lifestyles.
23

06 ― LIFE
EMPLOYEESTHAT
UK BR
US
0
10
20
30
40
50
EMPLOYEESTHAT EMPLOYEESTHAT
feel unhappy in their jobs feel their work does not
allow them time to take care
of their wellbeing
do not believe their
employer cares about
their wellbeing.
25% 25%
20%
30%
25%
29%
45%
33%
28%
UK BR
US UK BR
US

06 ― LIFE
The pandemic triggered a 25% increase in
anxiety and depression across the world¹⁷, and
this impact can be felt within any organization.
The quest to heal together is driving interest in
communal spaces that prioritize wellbeing, and
this extends to the workplace. Employers who
humanize their workplace and create a culture
where employees feel taken care of both in and
out of the workplace will wind up with employees
who feel fulfilled and secure.
New tech is harnessing data to give businesses
better insights into employees’ day-to-day
needs, and today’s workforce is looking for
companies that share their same values.
Promoting a culture of top-down wellbeing
culture will be the difference-maker in both
retaining and recruiting top talent.
Nearly 73% of respondents
across all markets would only
consider companies that
emphasize employee wellbeing
if looking to change jobs.

Key Takeaways
Life
06.
Employees’lives outside
of the workplace will
always impact their lives
within,and it behooves
employers to care about
both
In today’s world,there
are multiple stressors
weighing down on people
at all times – from
professional burnout,to
information overload,to
economic anxiety
As people dive deeper
into“quiet quitting”,it
has become more
important than ever that
their companies
prioritize their
employees’wellbeing
beyond just their basic
job functions
THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22 06 ― LIFE 26

07 ―ARTICLES
THE STATE OF WORK-LIFE WELLNESS ‘22
ARTICLES
07.
Work-Life Wellness:
A management challenge as
employees expect more
27

07 ― ARTICLES
As Gympass explores in this report, wellbeing has become
one of the biggest issues in business. Driven by the
pandemic, digital overload, and a strong global economy,
employees in every role are overworked, burned out, and
operating at capacity.
Research shows a holistic approach to wellness is just the
beginning. A study¹⁸ by Microsoft shows 87% of employees
feel highly productive yet only 12% of leaders agree. As our
Healthy Organization study shows, managers and HR teams
have to design jobs, operating models, and financial goals
so people don’t always feel behind. This is the next big thing
in Work-Life Wellness.
Gympass customers always tell us their wellbeing program
has not only become more expansive, but it’s also impacted
the organization’s hiring, leadership, and management
practices.
As you read this report, I encourage you to consider how
your leaders can give people space, time, and a voice to
stay healthy. Leaders set the example of wellness - let’s
make sure they’re part of the solution.
Work-Life Wellness: A management
challenge as employees
expect more
Josh Bersin
Global Industry Analyst
& CEO The Josh Bersin Company
This is how Bersin's own wellness
routine breaks down into our reports'
three categories.

08 ― COMPANIES
COMPANIES
08.
What Does
IN
This Mean For Companies
?

08 ― COMPANIES
Over the past several years, we’ve seen an influx in
corporate crises around retention, engagement, and
workplace flexibility. These crises are, at their core,
linked to a bigger crisis: a crisis of wellbeing. Our
research unpacked why employees are not feeling
well, and this can’t be overlooked.
Employees’ minds, bodies, and overall wellbeing are in
a state that we haven’t quite experienced before. But –
sudden, significant change creates incredible
opportunities to improve systems as a whole.
The answer lies in creating a culture of wellbeing,
where employees feel not only supported, but
incentivized to take breaks, recharge, and prioritize
movement. This is creating a corporate culture of care.
This, to us, is the epitome of work-life wellness.
Gympass makes it easy to package the best physical,
mental, nutritional resources available to employees –
and place them directly in their hands. It’s a bike at a top
cycling studio one day, and a personal training session
the next. It’s entry through the doors of a neighborhood
gym, and it’s access to a library of meditations. One
corporate benefit, unlimited ways to meet every
employee exactly where they are with what they need.
The state of employees’ wellbeing is at a pivotal point,
and employers everywhere have a chance to be ahead
of the curve in supporting their employees as people,
too. Let’s work together to forge a better path forward.
Let’s partner in the pursuit of true work-life wellness.
Want to learn more about how Gympass could help you
take better care of your team?
Get to know us here.
Our advice?
Be a company
that cares about
your employees’
wellbeing.
What Does
This Mean
For Companies
in 2023?

SOURCES
1. Gettysburg - One third of your life is spent at work
2. Gallup - State of the Global Workplace Report
3. Universidade Brigham Young - Programa de pesquisa de melhoria da saúde
4. ADP - The Evolution From Work-Life Balance to Work-Life Integration
5. PwC - Accelerating the health economy of tomorrow
6. Ipsos - Global Trends 2021: Aftershocks and continuity
7. Gallup - Employees Want Wellbeing From Their Job, and They'll Leave to Find It
8. The Lancet - Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1·2 million individuals in the USA
between 2011 and 2015: a cross-sectional study
9. Gallup - Employee Wellbeing Is Key for Workplace Productivity
10. Frontiers - Make Fitness Fun: Could Novelty Be the Key Determinant for Physical Activity Adherence?
11. IBM - Majority of Global Consumers Embrace e-Commerce, Sustainability for the Holidays Amid COVID-19
12. Gallup - Percent Who Feel Employer Cares About Their Wellbeing Plummets
13. Workhuman - Unleashing the Human Element at Work: Transforming Workplaces Through Recognition
14. AMA/WHO - WHO adds burnout to ICD-11. What it means for physicians.
15. Harvard Business Review - Resilient Organizations Make Psychological Safety a Strategic Priority
16. TrendWatching - Equip tomorrow’s consumers with the mental tools needed to thrive in an uncertain future.
17. WHO - COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide
18. Microsoft - Hybrid Work Is Just Work. Are We Doing It Wrong?
Sources

08 ― COMPANIES
Companies invest in software, tools
and office space to make employees
more productive. However, what is
the benefit of these if the employees
are not in a good state of wellbeing
to use them?
Cesar Carvalho

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