Wellness in the Workplace: The ROI of Putting People First

Wellness in the Workplace: The ROI of Putting People First

Workplace wellness has evolved far beyond gym discounts and annual health screenings. In today’s manufacturing environment—where demanding schedules, physical strain, and high-pressure production targets are part of daily life—wellness means supporting people as whole human beings. That includes physical health, mental resilience, emotional balance, and the ability to sustain themselves for the long haul.

The path to a healthier workplace isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some see it as rethinking the environment itself—air quality, lighting, climate control. Others focus on shifting workplace culture to respect the realities of life outside the job. And still others point to the importance of building inner tools that help employees navigate inevitable stress.

To explore these different dimensions, we spoke with three leaders who approach wellness from unique angles. Two of them—Dr. Tassany Henderson and Yirla Morehead—will also be sharing their insights at the upcoming Women in Manufacturing (WiM) SUMMIT, being held October 12—14 at McCormick Place in Chicago and virtually. Their stories and strategies show that no matter the method—whether it’s upgrading the work environment, fostering trust, or practicing mindfulness—the goal is the same: creating workplaces where people can truly thrive.

Designing an Environment That Supports People

For Kori Carlson, President of Brooklyn Tool Inc., one important path to workplace wellness is creating an environment that supports the whole person—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. “A healthy workplace in any industry is one that positively benefits aspects of an employee’s health,” Carlson says, “and also does not actively detract from them.”

In manufacturing, that can include everything from clean air and quality lighting to realistic scheduling and access to natural light. Even seemingly small adjustments, like switching to LED lighting, require deeper consideration—making sure those lights don’t cause screen glare or migraines. Air conditioning, too, is becoming less of a perk and more of a necessity, especially with increased heat and regulations requiring more frequent breaks in non-climate-controlled facilities.

“Wellness and performance are inextricably linked,” Carlson adds. “If our work environment inhibits employees from being as healthy as they’re trying to be, then it’s absolutely impacting their productivity. We can’t perform at our highest level without our health.”

A Culture of Connection and Understanding

While physical improvements are important, Carlson emphasizes that wellness also comes down to culture—whether employees feel they can take care of themselves throughout the day without fear of judgment. “Do people feel they can take a walk on their break?” she asks. “Or do they feel pressure to stay at their desk because that’s what their boss does?” Small cultural signals like these can have a big impact. When wellness becomes a shared value—not just a checklist item—it creates a workplace where people are recognized for more than just their output.

For Dr. Tassany Henderson, Founder of HenderHouse LLC, leadership coach and Adjunct Faculty at Austin Peay State University and Motlow State Community College, understanding the human realities behind work is essential.

Drawing from her own experience watching her mother work in the automotive industry, Henderson says the most valuable wellness benefits are understanding and communication.

“My mom was a single mother working on the shop floor,” Henderson recalls. “What impacted her ability to have wellness within her workplace was something as simple as clear communication and having support. Her leaders knew and respected the fact that she had children. That understanding was huge—because without it, there would’ve been added stress.”

When employees carry unnecessary stress, it’s harder for them to bring their best to the job. That’s why Henderson believes one of the biggest drivers of both wellness and productivity is creating an environment where life outside of work is acknowledged.

“Being in an environment where you can be honest and be your authentic self, and people understand what you have going on in life—that’s one of the biggest aspects that can lead to wellness, not just in manufacturing but in any workplace,” she says.

She adds that when people feel seen and respected, they’re more willing to go the extra mile: “It's my belief that everything starts with the relationship. If you know that I care about you, then your willingness to do the things I’m asking you to do—your ability to follow the leadership—grows exponentially.”

Wellness Starts Within

Building on Henderson’s emphasis on the human-to-human connection, Yirla Morehead, Senior Director, World Class Supply Chain — Americas at Molson Coors Beverage Company shares that the most transformative change she’s experienced came from within.

“Manufacturing by nature will always have high-stress situations,” Morehead says. “We can’t always control the pace or demands, but we can transform how we experience and respond to them.”

Three years ago, a deeply personal turning point forced her to pause, reflect and rebuild from the inside out. “I was leading a large corporate team and always had plans A through D lined up,” she recalls. “I suddenly found myself with no clear path forward.”  That moment became a catalyst for change.  She turned to meditation, not as a passing wellness trend, but as a daily practice to anchor her mind as intentionally as she cared for her body through exercise and nutrition. 

Morehead now incorporates breathing exercises and sound frequency sessions into her workday to regulate her nervous system. “Sustainable, effective leadership doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from becoming more aware. When I’m present, I have more options in how I approach situations. “My environment hasn’t changed, I have—And that changed everything.”

Culture, Boundaries, and the Power of “No”

That sense of presence ties directly into setting boundaries, something Henderson says is essential—especially for women in male-dominated industries. “As women, we’ve been conditioned to always say yes,” Henderson explains. “We need to get comfortable with ‘No, I don’t have the capacity for that right now.’

She encourages practicing these responses ahead of time to make them easier to communicate in the moment. “If you start with clear boundaries, people will respect them. And if you’ve been a constant yes person, it’s harder, but you can retrain others—and yourself—to see that protecting your wellness is part of being your best at work.”

In addition, Henderson says it’s important to regularly check in with yourself to ensure those boundaries hold. “We need to do some soul searching and some reflection on how we are actually feeling. We say, ‘I'm fine, it's fine, everything's fine,’ so much that we start to believe it when we know it's not true,” she says. “If we can't reflect and know how we're really doing, then we can't be firm in the answers we give.”

Wellness as a Retention Strategy

Carlson points out that wellness is also a recruitment and retention tool. Younger generations, she notes, are health-conscious and value work-life balance.

Henderson adds that these workers won’t hesitate to leave if they feel undervalued. “My mom’s generation stayed at a job for decades for the pension,” she says. “I’m a millennial and I grew up in a world that couldn't be further from that. I'm not waiting for you to decide that I'm worthy of your promotion or your salary increase. I will take my talent somewhere else.”

Morehead agrees that organizations need to keep mental and emotional well-being as an ongoing conversation, not just during awareness months. At Molson Coors, she’s seen the impact of leaders openly sharing their own wellness journeys and ensuring employees have access to resources that nurture mind, body and spirit. “When we create a space for people to care for their whole selves, we can become the best version of ourselves. That benefits our teams, our families, and our companies.”

The Role of Leadership in Workplace Wellness

Carlson agrees that leadership has a crucial role to play in this. Her own background in exercise science and corporate wellness adds a unique lens to her leadership style. “When I tried to hold wellness separate from leadership, it was harder,” she reflects. “It felt less authentic. Acknowledging health is real and that we’re working with whole humans actually makes leadership easier. It builds trust.”

When it comes to taking action, Carlson recommends starting with the people you already have. “Ask employees what’s making their day harder—maybe it’s the chairs, the lights, the schedule. Then make small, consistent changes. Those make the biggest difference over time.”

Henderson agrees that listening is key and adds that leaders must also remember employees’ priorities outside of work. “Work is simply a vessel to function throughout my life,” she says. “It is not my number one—my family is my number one. If you empower me as the employee to do what I need to do for my family, you’re going to get the best from me, because I know that you're giving me the space to do that.”

Carlson also points out that even the best-designed environments can be undermined by a relentless pace. “If your company’s values push people to go, go, go without pause, it increases errors, accidents, and turnover,” she says. “We want employees who are healthy, supported, and able to pace themselves. That’s how you build a company that lasts.”

A Foundation for Long-Term Success

In the end, all three leaders agree: wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s a foundation. Whether it’s upgrading the lighting, adjusting schedules, building a culture of trust, or encouraging mindfulness, the return on investing in your people is undeniable. As Morehead puts it, “The biggest contribution I can make to my team is to be the best version of myself.”

The WiM SUMMIT offers more than 60 dynamic educational sessions led by industry experts —designed to elevate your personal growth, accelerate your professional journey, and equip you with actionable insights. Don’t miss out—learn more and secure your spot today!