The True ROI of Employee Wellness Programs: August Is the Perfect Month to Start

August slows down in most UK offices. People are taking holidays or easing into a gentler pace. Yet, it's also the perfect time to invest in corporate employee wellness. With fewer deadlines and more space to breathe, it's easier to listen and act on what your team really needs.

Your team is stressed. Employees regularly post on Reddit and People Also Ask:

• "Wellness programmes feel more like ticking boxes than real support."

• "We get a free smoothie, but no relief from burnout."

• "Why start something now when everyone’s on holiday?"
  

Sound familiar? That’s where thoughtful employee wellness programs come in — at just the right time to make a meaningful shift before autumn’s rush.

Why Employee Wellness Programs Pays Off

Huge hidden costs if you do nothing

• Presenteeism is costing UK businesses over £100 billion a year, according to IPPR. That’s days worked while unwell — and often underperforming. The Guardian

• Mental health issues — not just physical ones — now rank higher in days lost to illness. Financial Times
  

ROI from well-run wellness programs

• A Harvard meta-analysis shows every $1 spent on workplace wellness returned $3.27 in medical savings, and $2.73 in reduced absenteeism costs. Wikipedia

• Wellhub reports that 95% of companies measuring ROI report positive results. Nearly two-thirds earn at least $2 back for every $1 spent. Wellhub

• The average ROI for wellness programs sits around 6:1, according to multiple studies. SFM Mutual InsuranceResearchGate

• UK firms that offer wellness see 63% of employees grow financially, 56% take fewer sick days, and 67% report better happiness. Electro IQ

Putting the Data into Action — What Works

1. Build Programs People Actually Use

Filling a brochure with generic offers won’t cut it. In 2021, UK firms spent over £61 billion on wellness programs, while mental health and absenteeism still cost around £138 billion. Toothfairy Meaningful programs are tailored to real needs uncovered through surveys, feedback, or focus groups.

2. Offer Holistic Support — Not Just Perks

Employees want mental health help, flexibility, and autonomy — not more app notifications or gym discounts they never use. Financial Times Organisations like Centrica are leading the way by offering early physiotherapy, therapy, and lifestyle checks — and absenteeism improved. Financial Times

3. Time It Right — Why August Works

August brings a rare chance to stand still and observe. Implementing your wellness push now means:

• You can plan with presence, not pressure

• Launch in September with real momentum — not as an afterthought

• Show staff you care before they collapse under autumn workloads

What a Smarter Wellness Program Looks Like

What to Do	Why It Matters
Survey your team now	Launch services that actually resonate
A mix of mental, physical, and financial support	Covers full spectrum of stressors
Train leaders to model wellness	Staff follow leaders' behaviours
Measure impact with clear metrics	Track healthcare costs, sick days, and morale

Ready to turn August’s calm into lasting resilience? Roy Events designs corporate employee wellness experiences — from creative workshops to tailored retreats — that drive engagement, clarity, and ROI. Reach out to build something that sticks.

Why This Matters — And Why August?

• Presenteeism and mental health alone cost UK firms hundreds of billions a year.

• Targeted, real-program well-being strategies deliver strong ROI — up to 6:1.

• Starting in August means calmer planning and better uptake in September.

• Long-term benefits include lower turnover, higher morale, and stronger performance.

Conclusion: Don’t Wait for Burnout to Force Your Hand

You have a rare window in August. Use it to build intentional employee wellness programs. Do it now — and come Autumn, your team will be better rested, more resilient, and aligned.

Thanks for reading, and here’s to healthier, happier teams that drive your business forward.