Global Wellness at Work: A Look Around the World

I remember back in the day, working in a small startup company in London. The chairman, young and ambitious, initially charmed everyone with his big business vision. It didn’t take long before I realised his management style was anything but empowering.

The workday officially ended at 6:30 PM, yet I often stayed until 7:30 PM to finish tasks. Still, he started calling me out for "leaving early," even though I was always punctual and met my deadlines. Oh, and I haven’t mentioned yet—he put us all on self-employment contracts, even though we worked exclusively at his office. Without being placed on a proper payroll, this meant that if he refused to pay my invoice, I had no recourse until legal steps were taken. He docked my pay for "lateness," despite both my watch and the office clock showing I was on time. I later discovered the "official" clock was 15 minutes fast. When we confronted him, he insisted the satellite clock was correct—until one of my colleagues adjusted it when he was out of the office.

This chaotic, controlling environment led to a series of difficult situations, including an unfairly assigned project with no guidance and a public shaming meeting where he criticised my every move. The final straw came when he tried to force me to sign a document that would have made me legally responsible for any damage to my computer years down the line. When I refused, he attempted to withhold my final invoice payment, but then he did.

Thankfully, my current workplace in the UK is a much more balanced environment, with a strong HR team and great company benefits. Wellness programs like stress management workshops and flexible working hours are game-changers here, making a world of difference to office well-being.

That story of a toxic boss was an eye-opener to how toxic workplace cultures can impact one’s health and well-being. It sparked my interest in how companies across the world are shifting their approach to wellness. So when Natascha, the CEO of TOUCHE, reached out to me with an exciting request—to interview my friends from around the globe about their work wellness benefits—I said yes.

I spoke with Anna Lindström from Sweden, a seasoned workplace wellness consultant in Stockholm, who shared how her country’s nature-centric approach is changing the game. Anna, an old friend of mine, and we ski together in Verbier almost every year for the last five years. "In Sweden, wellness is more than just a program. It’s in everything we do," Anna explained with a smile. "But it can be a struggle at times, especially with the cold winters." She described how outdoor meetings have become a big trend—teams gather in parks, even in the middle of winter, to discuss ideas with snow crunching underfoot. “Being in nature clears your mind in a way that sitting at a desk just can’t,” she added. For Anna, wellness isn’t just about managing stress; it’s about creating a truly balanced environment.

When Yuki Tanaka, an HR manager at a fast-paced tech company in Tokyo, came to visit London, I eagerly grabbed a cup of tea with him. His relaxed demeanor was in stark contrast to Japan’s historically demanding work culture. "It’s true, we used to be all about long hours and intense dedication," Yuki chuckled. "But now, we’re introducing mandatory 'refresh breaks. Let me tell you something extraordinary happening in our office—we give employees 15 minutes to beat up a plush version of their boss. Sounds wild, right? But it works! It’s all in good fun, and it really helps release tension." In addition to these stress-relief breaks, companies in Japan are increasingly adopting "nap rooms" for employees to recharge during the day. "A well-rested employee is a productive one," Yuki said with a knowing smile.

Giovanni Rossi, an enthusiastic business owner from Italy who now works in London’s bustling financial district, is also one of my friends. Giovanni, originally from Palermo, emphasised that wellness in Italy goes beyond the corporate world—it’s a lifestyle. "In Italy, wellness isn’t just something companies offer; it’s part of our daily routine," Giovanni laughed. "We still believe in a long lunch break and maybe even a little siesta afterward. Companies are starting to structure this into the workday more formally. After lunch, employees have some downtime to recharge, and when they come back, they’re ready to tackle the afternoon with fresh ideas." Giovanni’s perspective was clear: slowing down is actually speeding up creativity and productivity.

The future of workplace wellness is unfolding in exciting ways, and it’s clear that global trends will continue to shape the way we work. So let’s keep going—because this journey is only just beginning.