Wellness at Work: How We Prioritize Mental & Physical Health

In the modern Indian workplace, a silent revolution is underway—one that does not involve automation or artificial intelligence, but something far more personal: employee wellness. As industries expand, digital transformations accelerate, and the boundary between work and home continues to blur, organizations are beginning to recognize that productivity and profit cannot come at the cost of mental and physical health.

Across India’s corporate landscape, wellness is no longer a buzzword—it’s a necessity. For the Ghosh Group, which employs professionals across diverse sectors including infrastructure, electronics, consulting, and IT services, employee wellbeing is not a policy—it is a principle embedded in the culture of the organization.

This blog explores the growing importance of workplace wellness in India, the specific challenges faced by Indian professionals, and how the Ghosh Group is building a sustainable model of support that addresses both mind and body.

Why Workplace Wellness Matters More Than Ever in India

Rising Stress, Falling Boundaries

According to a 2022 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), nearly 15% of Indian adults are estimated to suffer from mental health issues, with stress and anxiety topping the list. The workplace, with its long hours, high expectations, and rapidly changing demands, is a major contributor.

The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated these challenges. Remote work brought flexibility, but also burnout. Employees found themselves juggling professional and personal responsibilities in the same physical space, often without structured breaks or social interaction.

The Indian Work Ethic: Strength and Strain

The Indian workforce is renowned for its commitment, adaptability, and resilience. But that very strength can often become a liability. A culture of “always on” and internalized pressure to over-deliver has led to rising rates of burnout, particularly among younger professionals navigating high-pressure jobs in metros like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.

What India needs, and is gradually waking up to, is a wellness model that’s not reactive (like health insurance or sick leave), but proactive—focusing on prevention, emotional well-being, fitness, and work-life integration.

The Ghosh Group Approach: Wellness by Design

For the Ghosh Group, wellness is treated not as a perk, but as a strategic priority. Whether in a factory, corporate office, or remote project site, each unit of the group is encouraged to tailor health and well-being programmes suited to their workforce.

Here’s how wellness is embedded across the organization:

Mental Health Support: Normalizing the Conversation

A key challenge in India remains the stigma around mental health. At the Ghosh Group, efforts have been made to shift the narrative from silence to openness.

• Professional Counselling Access: Employees are provided confidential access to licensed therapists through partnerships with wellness platforms.

• Mental Health Days: Staff are encouraged to take ‘no-questions-asked’ wellness leaves recognizing that rest and recovery are essential.

• Awareness Campaigns: Monthly workshops cover topics ranging from anxiety management to mindfulness practices, often hosted by mental health experts.

By creating safe spaces and trusted resources, the group aims to destigmatize therapy and promote emotional hygiene as an everyday practice

Physical Fitness and Preventive Health

Whether in a high-rise office or an engineering site, the physical health of employees is supported through structured and measurable interventions:

• Onsite Health Camps: Periodic check-ups are held for blood pressure, BMI, vision, and glucose levels, helping detect and prevent chronic illnesses early.

• Step Count Challenges and Fitness Clubs: Inter-departmental fitness initiatives have fostered not just health but team bonding.

• Health Subsidies: Gym memberships, yoga sessions, and wellness app subscriptions are partly reimbursed for all full-time staff.

These efforts reflect an understanding that health is not merely the absence of illness—but the presence of strength, mobility, and vitality.

Nutrition and Ergonomics: The Office Environment Reimagined

Ghosh Group’s offices and project sites are evolving into spaces that nourish, not just accommodate.

• Healthy Cafeterias: Menus have been redesigned to include low-sugar, high-protein, and vegetarian options, in consultation with dieticians.

• Hydration Drives: Awareness and access to clean drinking water, especially at field sites, are emphasized.

• Ergonomic Seating: Workspaces now include posture-corrective chairs and sit-stand desks in select locations, reducing musculoskeletal strain.

These measures support long-term well-being while subtly influencing daily choices toward healthier habits.

Flexible Work and Family Integration

In a country where family is central to identity, the Ghosh Group acknowledges that work-life harmony is not a luxury it’s a foundational need.

• Hybrid Work Policies: Applicable roles have access to hybrid schedules that help employees attend to familial responsibilities.

• Maternity, Paternity & Caregiver Leave: Enhanced paid leaves are available, going beyond the legal minimums, in recognition of life’s natural demands.

• Employee Assistance for Families: Certain counselling services are also extended to family members, ensuring that the support system around the employee is strong.

In doing so, the company not only supports the individual but also their broader ecosystem creating ripple effects of wellness beyond the office.

Wellness Metrics: From Feel-Good to Performance Indicator

One of the most significant shifts in corporate India is the recognition that wellness drives performance. The Ghosh Group uses both qualitative feedback and quantitative data to assess the effectiveness of its wellness initiatives.

• Annual Wellness Index: A composite score measuring employee satisfaction, participation in health programmes, and absenteeism rates.

• Pulse Surveys: Conducted quarterly to assess mental health climate and collect feedback on new initiatives.

• Exit Interviews: Wellness factors are now formally included in retention assessments.

The result? Higher retention rates, improved project delivery timelines, and a more engaged workforce.

Looking Ahead: A Culture of Care

India’s demographic dividend lies in its young and aspiring workforce. But to truly harness this potential, companies must not just train and employ talent—they must care for it. And that care must be holistic, intentional, and sustained.

The Ghosh Group envisions a future where wellness is not viewed as a break from work, but as part of work. A future where every team meeting starts with a mental check-in. Where the quality of air, water, light, and culture in the office is as important as the quarterly targets.

Conclusion: The New Leadership Metric

As India steps into an era of innovation-led growth, wellness is emerging as the new leadership benchmark. How companies care for their people not just during crises, but in everyday operations will define their longevity and legacy.

For the Ghosh Group, wellness is not about ticking boxes. It’s about embedding empathy into execution, and compassion into culture.

Because when employees feel well, they don’t just perform better they live better. And that, ultimately, is the kind of growth worth celebrating.