For years, coaching in the corporate world was reserved for the C suite. Leadership development, performance optimisation, strategic thinking, all packaged neatly for the top tier. But there is a shift happening, and it is one I am glad to see.

More companies are realising that the people who keep their business running, the project managers, the coordinators, the assistants, deserve the same level of support. Not just to make them better at their jobs, but to help them thrive as human beings.

Employee Wellness Coaching in Action: Meet Sarah

Sarah is the best Executive Assistant you have ever had. She is organised, calm under pressure, and the glue that holds half the office together. She also has a child navigating school challenges, a partner working long hours, and a reactive dog at home that turns every walk into an adrenaline event.

Sarah comes to work every day, smiling and professional, but inside she is running on fumes. She is not burnt out yet, but she is close.

When Sarah gets access to holistic wellness coaching through her workplace, something changes. Not every session is about work. Sometimes we talk about how to regulate her nervous system when the dog lunges at a stranger. Or how to breathe through the overwhelm of parenting. Or how to create micro moments of rest so she does not arrive at work already depleted.

What happens next is noticeable. Sarah starts to arrive more energised. She has fewer days where her patience is frayed. She handles last minute changes without feeling like she is on the verge of tears. That steadiness ripples into her work and into how she interacts with the rest of the team.

Why Employee Wellness Support Works‍

Because we can never truly leave home at home. Stress in our personal lives trickles into our work. A 2022 Gallup study found that employees with high overall well being are 41 percent less likely to be absent and 59 percent less likely to look for a new job. That means the Sarahs of the world do not just stay, they stay engaged.

And here is where companies really win. When you invest in your people beyond their job descriptions, you earn a kind of loyalty money cannot buy. Employees who feel cared for on a human level often become lifelong advocates for the business.

How Wellness Coaching Saves Companies Money

Replacing an employee is expensive. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, replacing a salaried employee can cost the equivalent of six to nine months of that person’s salary in recruitment, onboarding, and lost productivity. For someone on a seventy thousand dollar salary, that could easily mean a thirty five to fifty thousand dollar hit to the business.

Now compare that to the cost of providing an employee with six months of wellness coaching. Even at a premium coaching rate, the investment is a fraction of what it costs to lose and replace that person.

There is also the hidden cost of presenteeism, which is when employees are physically at work but mentally distracted, stressed, or unwell. Research from the Global Corporate Challenge shows that presenteeism can cost businesses ten times more than absenteeism. It is not just about keeping people in their seats, it is about keeping them engaged, regulated, and able to perform.

Why Limiting Coaching to Executives is a Missed Opportunity

Reserving coaching and wellness support for executives is short sighted. In reality, the people at every level of your organisation are the ones creating client relationships, keeping projects on track, and holding the culture together. If they are struggling outside of work, it will show up inside of work whether they want it to or not.

How Progressive Companies Are Retaining Talent with Wellness Coaching

Forward thinking organisations are building wellness and coaching programs that anyone can access. They are not treating coaching like a disciplinary tool or a reward for high performers only. They are treating it as a retention strategy.

They understand that by helping employees manage stress, build emotional regulation skills, and create sustainable routines, they are not just improving well being. They are also protecting their bottom line through reduced turnover, higher productivity, and stronger team morale.

The Bottom Line on Investing in Employee Wellness

You do not have to be a therapist to offer life changing support to your team. You just need to be willing to see them as whole people, not just job titles. When you do, the payoff is enormous for them, for you, and for the future of your business.

If you want your “Sarahs” to show up steady, engaged, and thriving, not just surviving, wellness coaching is the bridge. Let’s talk about how I can help your team regulate stress, build resilience, and bring their best selves to work and life.

[Let’s Start the Conversation]‍