Workplace Wellbeing Trends for 2026

What Small Businesses Need to Know

As we move into early 2026, workplace wellbeing continues to evolve at pace. For small sized businesses, supporting employee health is no longer just about doing the right thing, it is directly linked to quality of life, productivity, retention, reputation and long-term business success.

One of the biggest ongoing shifts is how and where people work. Hybrid working is now firmly part of everyday working life. A 2025 survey by Ibec found that 68% of employees highlighted hybrid or flexible work as essential to their wellbeing. With more people physically present in workplaces on certain days or working from home, ergonomics is firmly back in focus. Poor posture, unsuitable desks, bad chairs and incorrect screen height continue to drive many of the aches and pains seen across teams. These issues may seem minor, but they directly affect optical health, comfort, concentration, absenteeism and performance. Simple supports such as workstation assessments, posture education and regular movement breaks remain highly effective.

Communicable diseases are also still a reality of working life in 2026. COVID‑19 has not disappeared and continues to sit alongside colds, flu and new variants. In shared spaces, illness can still spread quickly. Many employers now accept that sickness will come in waves. Good ventilation, hygiene, cleaning routines, flexible sick leave and a strong “stay home if unwell” culture are now core pillars of workplace wellbeing.

At the same time, non‑communicable diseases remain the leading causes of death in Ireland and worldwide. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory illness continue to place huge pressure on individuals, families and healthcare systems. These conditions are closely linked to lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, nutrition, smoking, alcohol use, stress and sleep. Workplaces play a powerful role in prevention through movement initiatives, stress supports, healthy food environments, screening and early intervention.

Mental health remains one of the most important wellbeing priorities for 2026. A 2025 study by Hays Ireland showed that while almost all employers and employees agree that wellbeing is important to organisational success (95% of employers and 96% of employees), only 48% of employees feel their organisation’s current wellbeing approach effectively supports them.  Moreover, 22% of surveyed professionals said they had taken time off work in the last 12 months due to stress or stress‑related illness.  The same study found that 49% of professionals have previously left a job because of insufficient wellbeing support, and another 31% have considered leaving for that reason. 

Another key trend is the move towards more personalised and preventative care. Rather than offering one‑size‑fits‑all wellbeing programmes, businesses are increasingly tailoring supports to the individual. This is particularly visible in areas such as oral and vision health, where regular check-ups, early detection and personalised care plans can help prevent long-term issues. Good dental and optical health are closely linked to overall wellbeing, influencing confidence, comfort, long‑term health risk and work performance.

Finally, technology and AI continue to shape the wellbeing landscape. AI and data tools are now being used to analyse wellbeing data, flag burnout risk and personalise support. While this brings exciting potential, it also requires strong ethical standards around privacy, trust and data use. For small businesses in 2026, the message is clear: workplace wellbeing is now a core business strategy. Those that invest in flexible working, prevention, social and mental health, personalised care and healthy workplace design will be best placed to support their people and strengthen their business for the year ahead.