The wellbeing paradox
Investment in workplace wellbeing is at an all-time high, but results are uneven. This is the Wellbeing Paradox: despite awareness and good intentions, many employees are still struggling in silence, employers are scratching their heads and programs sit gathering dust. This report unpacks five key areas affecting worker health across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, providing leaders with actionable advice to address them.
- Mental health and the hidden cost of normalised distress
- Physical health and the persistent nature of fatigue
- Belonging and purpose at work falls short
- Barriers to care are multifaceted and complex
- Awareness of workplace support doesn’t translate to use
Presenting the new wellbeing leadership mandate
In 2026, the new mandate for health, safety and wellbeing leaders moves beyond simply viewing workforce wellbeing as a priority to it becoming a measurable performance system. The report contains a strategic model showing leaders how to embed tactics such as mental fitness and the normalisation of recovery to quantify the connection between care and performance, delivering a clear ROI to the wider business.
“This means equipping leaders and their teams to manage good stress versus bad stress, tailoring wellbeing initiatives to the individual and different life stages, and normalising recovery as a cultural standard.”
Chief People Officer at Sonder
Why did we produce this report?
We produced this report to address the undeniable reality that the lines between work and life are increasingly blurred, placing individuals across Australia, the UK, and New Zealand under mounting pressure from constant digital availability, rising living costs, and fragmented support systems.
Considering the significant portion of life spent within an organisation, the report highlights the critical role leaders play in shaping overall wellbeing. We hope to equip leaders with the evidence to reframe wellbeing, moving away from viewing it as a mandatory cost and toward recognising it as a vital investment and a powerful lever for organisational growth and human sustainability.
By promoting authentic, proactive care, we aim to demonstrate that supporting people before they reach crisis is essential for building a more engaged, high-performing workforce, ultimately showing that the cost of neglecting wellbeing far outweighs the cost of providing genuine support.
Who is this report for?
If your role holds responsibility for People, Culture, Health, or Strategic Risk, the State of Employee Health and Wellbeing Report 2026 is essential reading.
This report is designed to provide actionable guidance, grounded in the latest data, helping you transition from good intent to measurable impact. It offers clear strategies for anyone working to strengthen human sustainability and performance in your organisation.
This report is especially relevant for:
- Founders, Executives, and Directors
- Senior HR and People & Culture (P&C) Leaders
- Wellbeing, Safety, and WHS Professionals
- Managers and Frontline Team Leaders
Ultimately, the State of Employee Health and Wellbeing Report 2026 is designed to help you transition from fragmented initiatives to a cohesive, strategic system of care that quantifies performance, strengthens human sustainability, and delivers clear ROI for the wider business.
Who is Sonder?
Trusted by over a million employees and students, Sonder is an all-in-one platform that helps your people feel safe, supported, and well, wherever they are.
We combine award-winning technology with 24/7 clinically-led support, replacing fragmented services with a single, integrated solution for maximum efficiency. This drives rapid, early intervention with members connected to expert help in under 30 seconds.
With industry-leading usage rates and a decade of proven operation, Sonder delivers measurable ROI on engagement, wellbeing, and workforce resilience, while providing organisations with powerful real-time risk analytics. Sonder is the clear, data-driven alternative to legacy support models.
Setting a new standard for organisational care. Find out more at sonder.io
How Sonder supports workforces or all types and sizes
Sonder is the all-in-one platform providing integrated tools and clinical expertise to empower your team’s safety and resilience. We ensure help is immediate and accessible across every part of your organisation, replacing fragmented support with a single, reliable solution.
With Sonder your people have access to:
Complete clinical care
24/7 confidential access to nurses, clinicians, psychologists, and counsellors for urgent physical and mental health concerns, with care extended to dependents and teams impacted by critical events.Flexible, immediate access
Help is available instantly via multiple channels—calls, texts, and in-app messaging—ensuring support however they are most comfortable, backed by an independent and confidential platform.Proactive resilience
Guidance for managers on handling complex wellbeing issues, alongside tools and insights that identify early warning signs of stress or burnout to reduce risk escalation and boost team productivity.
By accessing timely support through Sonder, 71% of members self-report they were able to resolve their issue without needing to visit a GP or emergency department.
Methodology
This study was conducted by Sonder in collaboration with YouGov using an online survey methodology between 20th August and 1st September 2025.
The survey comprised a nationally representative sample of 6,105 employees (excluding those who are self-employed) aged 18 years and older across Australia (n=2,527), New Zealand (n=518), and the United Kingdom (n=3,060).
Demographic information was collected to ensure a representative sample across various participant characteristics, in line with ABS census methodology. This included gender (Female, Male), and generation (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers). Additionally, data on industry and work type were gathered to provide further context and enable comprehensive analysis across diverse demographic segments.
Following data collection, results were weighted by age, gender, and region within each country to reflect the latest national population estimates.
YouGov designed the questionnaire in collaboration with Sonder. The study was conducted in accordance with ISO 20252:2019 market, opinion, and social research standards, to which YouGov is accredited.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this report and on this website is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Although all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented, Sonder takes no responsibility for any errors or omissions presented. Please contact a legal representative for individual advice.
