Workplace wellness initiatives drive employee health and engagement

Recent discussions and initiatives in Serbia and Slovenia highlight the growing importance of workplace environments in shaping employee health and productivity.

In Serbia, a panel held at the Regional Chamber of Commerce Valjevo as part of the ‘Teži ravnoteži’ (Strive for Balance) campaign addressed the impact of organizational culture on well-being. An online survey of over 1,000 participants revealed significant health challenges in the workforce: 61 percent of employees do not have regular meals during work hours, 68 percent lack sufficient physical activity, and 58 percent experience drops in energy or concentration. Notably, 76 percent of employees report working while feeling unwell, a phenomenon known as presenteeism.

In Slovenia, the pharmaceutical company Lek has demonstrated the impact of wellness culture through its ‘DobroBit’ initiative. The company will have more than 280 employees participating in the NLB Ljubljana Marathon, a significant increase from approximately 40 participants in 2023. Company representatives state that such participation reflects a culture of mental, social, and physical well-being, using sports as a means for employee connection and health promotion.