In this week’s ASP Trends feature, Tammy Scott of Motion explores the latest developments in workplace well-being.
The 2026 Gallup report shows that only 20% of employees globally are engaged at work, with 80% not fully engaged, a number that has fallen from a peak of 23% in 2022. In South Africa the picture is even more concerning, with just 18% engaged, meaning 82% of employees are not fully engaged. (Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2026, published April 2026.)
This tells us that most teams are showing up, but not thriving. The question we need to ask is: How are we as business owners going to be proactive about this significant drop in engagement?
There is a shift happening right now from once-off wellness days to structured, measurable programmes that integrate physical and mental health awareness, human connection, and behavioural tools into how teams work together.
The biggest barrier is not budget. There are tools and techniques that do not require significant financial resources. The biggest barrier is business leaders not knowing where to start, and having the courage to make well-being a business decision rather than a tick-box exercise or afterthought.
The impact comes from awareness, long-term planning, consistency, and normalising the conversation.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author in their personal professional capacity and do not constitute legal, labour, HR, or professional advice. The information provided is intended as general guidance only.
Every workplace situation is unique and should be considered on its own facts and merits. The content of this article must be assessed within the context of the applicable legislation, sectoral determinations, bargaining council agreements, and all relevant circumstances before any decision is made or action taken. Readers are strongly encouraged to obtain professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
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