How to maximize employee wellness with a holistic benefits package

The math is brutal: companies spend an average of $15,000 per employee on wellness programs, yet 70% of workers still report feeling burned out. Something isn't adding up.

The problem isn't that wellness doesn't work; it's that most organizations are solving for symptoms instead of root causes. They're offering stress management workshops while ignoring toxic workloads, providing fitness stipends while employees struggle with basic financial security, and implementing mental health apps while maintaining cultures that stigmatize taking time off.

True employee wellness isn't a program you can purchase or a perk you can add to your benefits catalog. It's a fundamental shift in how you think about supporting human beings who happen to work for your company. The organizations getting this right understand that wellness touches everything: how work gets done, how success gets measured, and how people are treated when life inevitably gets complicated.

This article maps out a different approach to employee wellness; one that starts with understanding your people as whole humans and builds benefits that actually move the needle on engagement, retention, and performance. You'll learn how leading companies are creating wellness ecosystems that work for real people dealing with real challenges, not just the idealized employees featured in stock photos.

Because when you get wellness right, the returns extend far beyond healthcare costs. You build the kind of workplace people don't want to leave.

Key takeaways

• Holistic benefits address root causes of burnout by supporting mental, physical, financial, and social well-being; not just surface symptoms.
• Effective programs go beyond perks, integrating flexibility, family support, and financial wellness to meet real-life employee needs.
• Organizations offering holistic wellness see improved productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and stronger retention and recruitment.
• Start with employee feedback, prioritize high-impact, low-cost options like flexible work, and track impact with clear wellness metrics.
• Future trends point to personalization, AI-powered benefits delivery, and greater emphasis on mental health and social impact.
• Forma helps HR teams simplify and scale holistic wellness programs with tools like LSAs, automation, and global compliance. Schedule a demo today.

What is a holistic benefits package?

A holistic benefits package goes beyond standard medical coverage to support employees' overall well-being. Rather than focusing solely on physical health, it takes into account the interconnected aspects of wellness, including mental, financial, and social factors.

This approach recognizes that an employee's personal life and stressors outside of work can significantly impact their job performance and engagement. By providing resources to manage these challenges, employers demonstrate they value their people as whole individuals, not just workers.

Studies show this pays off; organizations that invest in employee well-being see 18% higher productivity, 78% lower absenteeism, and 21% less turnover (for high turnover organizations) than those who don't. Clearly, when employees feel their best, they do their best work.

Examples of holistic benefits

So what does a holistic benefits package actually include? The specifics will vary based on your workforce demographics and budget, but here are some common elements they often include:

1. Mental health support: This could range from an Employee Assistance Program with free counseling sessions to subscriptions to meditation apps like Headspace or Calm. The key is making it easy for employees to access the emotional support they need.
2. Financial wellness resources: Money is a top stressor for many workers. Providing tools like financial planning workshops, student loan repayment assistance, or emergency savings funds can alleviate that burden and help employees feel more secure.
3. Flexible work arrangements: The pandemic proved that work doesn't have to happen in an office from 9 to 5. Allowing employees to set their own schedules or work remotely some or all of the time shows you trust them to get the job done in a way that fits their lives. Generous paid time off is another way to promote better work-life balance.
4. Family-friendly perks: Supporting employees means supporting their loved ones too. Benefits like on-site child care, paid parental leave for all caregivers, or subsidies for fertility treatments or adoption show you have workers' backs through all stages of life.

The most effective holistic benefits are personalized to what matters most to your people. By giving employees options to choose from, whether that's a lifestyle spending account or a menu of voluntary benefits, you empower them to invest in their own well-being.

How to implement a holistic benefits package

Designing a benefits program may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to happen all at once. Start by assessing your existing program and surveying employees to see where the gaps are.

From there, prioritize the areas that will have the greatest impact on your workforce. If you have a lot of young parents, for example, child care support may be a top need. If many employees are paying off student loans, financial wellness should be a focus.

As you roll out new benefits, communicate early and often to make sure employees understand what's available and how to access it. Provide multiple channels for education, from in-person info sessions to online resources.

Finally, make sure you have a system in place to measure the impact of your holistic benefits package. Track utilization rates, employee satisfaction scores, and business metrics like productivity and turnover. Use this data to continually refine your list of benefits and make sure they're meeting the ever-changing needs of your workforce.

Benefits of offering holistic employee wellness

Investing in a holistic benefits package pays off for both your employees and your business. When workers feel supported in all aspects of their lives, they're more engaged, productive, and loyal to your organization.

1. Increased productivity and engagement

Employees with high well-being are 45% more likely to adapt to change and 27% more likely to report excellent performance, according to a Gallup study. When people aren't distracted by financial stress, relationship issues, or health concerns, they can bring their full selves to work and focus on doing their best.

Holistic benefits also help create a culture of trust and appreciation. Employees who feel valued as whole individuals, not just workers, are more likely to go above and beyond in their roles. They're also more likely to speak positively about your company to others, becoming brand ambassadors and helping attract top talent.

2. Reduced healthcare costs

According to research, every $1 invested in employee wellness programs yields $3.27 in reduced healthcare costs. By catching and preventing health issues early, you can avoid costly medical claims down the line.

Mental health support is especially important for reducing healthcare spending. Untreated depression costs employers an estimated $44 billion per year in lost productivity, while employees with access to mental health benefits are more likely to seek treatment and recover faster.

Financial wellness benefits can also lower healthcare costs by reducing stress-related illnesses. When employees have the tools to manage their money effectively, they're less likely to experience anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues.

3. Improved retention and recruitment

Holistic benefits show candidates that you care about their overall well-being, not just their work output. This can be especially appealing to younger generations who prioritize work-life balance and purpose-driven companies.

Investing in employee wellness also boosts retention by making people feel valued and supported. When workers have the resources they need to thrive both personally and professionally, they're less likely to look for opportunities elsewhere.

How do holistic benefits drive employee wellness?

Holistic benefits take a slightly modernistic approach to supporting employees' physical, mental, financial, and social well-being. Rather than focusing on just one aspect of health, they address the interconnected factors that contribute to overall wellness.

This means providing resources to manage stress, build resilience, and maintain work-life balance across all areas of life. For example, offering flexible work arrangements allows employees to better integrate their personal and professional responsibilities, reducing burnout and increasing job satisfaction.

Holistic benefits also recognize that every employee has unique needs and preferences. By providing a range of options, from mental health counseling to financial planning services, you empower individuals to choose the support that's most relevant to them. This personalized approach leads to higher utilization rates and better outcomes.

Perhaps most importantly, holistic benefits encourage a culture of well-being within your organization. When you prioritize employee wellness through your actions and investments, you send a clear message that you value your people as whole individuals. This creates a positive feedback loop, with employees feeling more engaged, loyal, and motivated to bring their best selves to work each day.

Ultimately, holistic benefits are a win-win for both employees and employers. By supporting workers' overall health and happiness, you create a more productive, resilient workforce that can adapt to challenges and drive long-term business success.

Strategies for implementing holistic benefits on a budget

Offering a benefits package doesn't have to break the bank. With some creativity and strategic planning, you can provide meaningful support for your employees' well-being while staying within your budget.

Optimize existing resources

One way to stretch your benefits dollars is to make the most of any available existing resources. Many companies already offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that includes free or low-cost counseling, financial planning, and legal services. Make sure your employees are aware of these programs and how to access them. You can also promote community wellness programs, such as local fitness classes or stress management workshops, that may be available at a discount or no cost.

Prioritize high-impact, low-cost offerings

When adding new benefits, prioritize high-impact, low-cost offerings first. Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible scheduling, are highly valued by employees but don't require a significant financial investment. You can also negotiate group discounts with local gyms, meditation studios, or other wellness providers to make these services more affordable for your team.

Offer LSAs

Another cost-effective strategy is to offer Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs). These allow employees to choose the benefits that matter most to them, whether that's a gym membership, continuing education courses, or child care support. By setting a fixed budget per employee and letting them decide how to allocate it, you can provide personalized support while controlling costs.

Track some metrics

As you implement your holistic benefits package, be sure to measure the ROI. Track metrics like employee engagement, turnover rates, and healthcare costs to see how your investments are impacting your bottom line. You may find that the savings in reduced absenteeism and increased productivity more than offset the cost of your wellness programs.

How can HR teams maximize benefit utilization?

Once you've designed a holistic benefits package, the next step is to drive employee engagement and utilization. After all, even the best benefits package in the world won't impact wellness if workers don't know about them or face barriers to access.

Communicating the value of your holistic benefits is key. Share employee stories that highlight how these resources have made a difference in their lives, whether that's managing stress, paying off debt, or improving relationships. You can also provide regular wellness tips and reminders through email, Slack, or other internal channels to keep benefits top of mind.

Centralizing all your benefits in one easy-to-use portal and mobile app streamlines the user experience. Employees should be able to quickly find information, enroll in programs, and submit claims or requests without jumping through hoops. The simpler you can make the process, the more likely people are to take advantage of available support.

It's also important to gather ongoing employee feedback to guarantee that your holistic benefits are meeting developing needs. Pulse surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations can help you understand what's working well and where there are gaps. Use this data to continuously refine your program and communication strategies for maximum impact.

What is the future of holistic benefits?

As employee needs continue to change, so too will the scope and design of holistic benefits packages. Mental health support will become an even higher priority, with employers expanding access to therapy, coaching, and digital tools that build resilience. This focus on emotional well-being recognizes the significant impact of stress, anxiety, and burnout on both personal and professional lives.

Family-friendly benefits will also grow in importance as workers seek support for all stages of life. Expect to see more companies offering fertility coverage, adoption assistance, and generous paid leave policies for birth, bonding, and caregiving. These benefits acknowledge the diverse paths to parenthood and the value of time spent with loved ones.

Personalization will be a key theme in the future of holistic benefits. Using AI and predictive analytics, employers will tailor benefits to individual needs and preferences. This could mean proactively recommending relevant resources based on life events, or allowing employees to choose from a menu of options that align with their unique goals and challenges.

Finally, holistic benefits will increasingly emphasize social impact and community involvement. Volunteer time off, donation matching, and partnerships with local nonprofits will become more common as companies and employees alike seek to make a positive difference in the world around them. This outward-facing focus recognizes the interconnectedness of personal, organizational, and societal well-being.

Closing thoughts — Are holistic benefits worth the investment?

Employees with high well-being are twice as likely to be engaged at work and 59% less likely to look for a job elsewhere compared to their struggling peers, reports Gallup. Engaged workers, in turn, are more productive, innovative, and committed to your organization's success.

Holistic benefits can also help you stand out in a competitive job market. A survey by MetLife found that 69% of employees say having a wider array of benefits would increase their loyalty to their employer. Offering detailed support signals that you value your people as whole individuals, not just workers.

Of course, designing the right mix of holistic benefits for your workforce takes careful planning and employee input. Conducting a needs assessment can help you identify the most impactful areas to invest in, whether that's mental health resources, financial wellness tools, or flexible work arrangements.

As you implement a new benefits program, be sure to track utilization and gather ongoing feedback to optimize your program over time. With a data-driven approach, you can continuously evolve your holistic benefits package to meet the changing needs of your employees and drive long-term business success.

And if you're looking for a smarter, more streamlined way to manage holistic benefits, Forma is the partner you need. As a trusted third-party administrator, Forma helps organizations deliver flexible, personalized benefits that support every aspect of employee well-being; physical, mental, financial, and beyond. 

Our platform is designed to reduce HR admin, ensure global compliance, and enhance the employee experience through powerful automation and intuitive tools. With features like Lifestyle Spending Accounts, seamless integrations, and multi-country support, Forma makes it easy to scale your benefits strategy without sacrificing control or quality. 

Want to create a benefits program your workforce will actually use and appreciate? <span class="text-style-link text-color-blue" fs-mirrorclick-element="trigger" role="button">Schedule a demo</span> today.

*This document is for informational purposes. Forma is not engaged in the practice of law. Nothing contained herein is intended as tax or legal advice nor to replace tax or legal advice from counsel. If you need tax or legal advice, please consult with counsel or a certified tax professional.