Hartford Business Journal

B2 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 1, 2026 A Advancing the Health of Connecticut's Workforce W e're proud to partner with the Hartford Business Journal on the inaugural 2026 Employee Wellness Survey. This research offers a clear and timely view into how organizations across Connecticut are prioritizing the health and well-being of their workforce – and where opportunities remain. The survey results reinforce what many of us are seeing firsthand: employee wellness is no longer a "nice to have," but a core component of business strategy. More than 63 percent of survey respondents say wellness is either very or extremely important to their organization's overall success. Just as telling, nearly two-thirds of organizations identify enhancing workplace culture as a primary goal of their wellness efforts, underscoring the strong connection between well-being, engagement, and performance. The findings offer a distinct picture of what employees value most. Flexible work arrangements are the top-rated benefit. At the same time, mental health support continues to be a leading area of employer invest- ment and one of the most meaningful benefits for employees. More than half the organizations report offering mental health resources, and nearly the same number say employee mental health needs have increased some- what or significantly over the last two years. While progress is evident, the findings also highlight challenges. Many organizations are still early in their well- ness journey – only 29 percent report having a comprehensive program in place, while a similar share have yet to implement one at all. Participation remains a hurdle, with lack of time cited as the biggest barrier, and more than half of respondents indicating they do not formally measure outcomes. These gaps point to an important opportunity: To better connect wellness strategies with measurable results and to make programs more acces- sible and relevant to today's workforce. Investing in wellness is not only good for employees, it's essential to improving health outcomes and managing costs over time. Organizations that take a proactive approach to championing preventive care, mental health support, and well-being can help reduce the need for more complex and costly care in the future, helping to lower overall healthcare costs for both employers and employees in the long run. The path forward is clear: Organizations that take a holistic, data-driven approach to employee wellness – one that integrates physical, mental, and social health – will be better positioned to attract talent, improve productivity, and build resilient workplace cultures. Our Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield team in Wallingford can help employers navigate this evolving landscape with solutions that are personalized and grounded in meaningful insights. Thank you to the Hartford Business Journal and to all the organizations that contributed their perspectives to this year's survey. As you explore this issue, I hope these findings spark new ideas and conversations about how we can collectively advance employee wellness and better health across our communities. In good health, Lou Gianquinto President Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut

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