Workplace Wellness: How to Save Thousands While Boosting Retention

Carmel Brown
Aug 13
2 min read

Employee wellness isn’t just a feel-good perk — it’s a bottom-line business strategy. Organizations that invest in mental health, work-life balance, and stress reduction are seeing measurable returns in productivity, retention, and cost savings. Yet many leaders still view wellness programs as “nice to have” rather than a revenue driver.In this article, we’ll break down the real cost of poor wellness, show you how to calculate your Return On Investment (ROI), and share proven steps to create a healthier, more profitable workplace.

The True Cost of Poor Wellness Among Employees

When employees are burned out, stressed, or unsupported, the costs pile up quickly.

Absenteeism: Missed work days cost U.S. businesses over $225 billion annually.
Turnover: Replacing a single employee can cost up to 200% of their annual salary.
Healthcare claims: Chronic stress increases the risk of costly health issues like heart disease, depression, and diabetes.

Example: If a 50-person company loses just three mid-level employees in a year due to burnout, replacement costs alone could exceed $150,000 — and that’s before counting lost productivity.

What ROI Means for Wellness Programs

ROI (Return on Investment) measures how much benefit you receive for every dollar spent.For workplace wellness, that “return” shows up in:

Reduced turnover and recruitment costs.
Increased productivity and focus.
Lower healthcare premiums.
Higher employee engagement and morale.

Wellness isn’t just about yoga classes and healthy snacks — it’s about building an environment that enables employees to perform at their best.

How to Calculate Your ROI

Here’s a simple formula:(Total Savings from Program – Program Cost) ÷ Program Cost × 100 = ROI%

Example:

Annual savings from reduced turnover and absenteeism: $120,000
Program cost: $40,000
ROI = (($120,000 – $40,000) ÷ $40,000) × 100 = 200% ROI

Tip: Download our free Workplace Wellness ROI Calculator to run your own numbers in minutes.

Case Study: From Burnout to Breakthrough

A mid-sized marketing agency came to Nuvanti Consulting with high turnover (25% annually) and rising healthcare costs.We implemented a customized wellness strategy including manager training, mental health resources, and workload balancing.One year later:

Turnover dropped to 12%.
Sick days decreased by 40%.
Employee satisfaction scores hit an all-time high.Their ROI? Over 250% — with savings reinvested into team development.

Action Plan: Boosting Your ROI Through Wellness

Audit your current wellness efforts — identify what’s working and what’s missing.
Train leaders in mental health–friendly management.
Offer flexible work options where possible.
Track key metrics like absenteeism, turnover, and healthcare claims.
Communicate wins so employees and stakeholders see the value.

Conclusion & Call to Action: Workplace wellness isn’t an expense — it’s a strategic investment that pays measurable dividends. Ready to see what your organization could save? Book a consultation to explore how Nuvanti Consulting can help you build a healthier, more profitable workplace.