Welcome to today’s episode. We’re diving into why workplace wellness programs so often fall flat. Companies spend an estimated 65 billion dollars a year on perks like meditation apps and mindfulness pods, yet 77 percent of employees still report feeling stressed, and 82 percent say they’re at risk of burnout. The hard truth? “Wellness programs aren’t failing because employees don’t care. They’re underperforming because the programs weren’t designed with real behavioral engagement in mind.”

Most initiatives suffer from what the article calls “app sprawl” and discovery fatigue—too many logins, too many tabs, and no clear entry point. Fewer than half of eligible employees ever engage with these resources. But when tools are bundled into a single, gamified platform, engagement doubles, stress drops by more than 50 percent, and productivity jumps 57 percent.

So what’s the fix? First, one frictionless entry point—no more hunting for links. Second, rapid-fire rewards that users can redeem in days, not months. Third, personalized prompts tailored to each individual’s habits. In short, we don’t need more perks. We need platforms people actually use.
Link to Article