Presenteeism and chronic illnesses cost Indian cos up to ₹1.12 lakh per employee annually, says report

Presenteeism and chronic illnesses cost Indian companies up to ₹1.12 lakh per employee annually, while structured wellness programmes deliver a 3–4x return on investment, says a report on corporate wellness prepared by digital healthcare company MediBuddy in collaboration with apex industry chamber CII (Confederation of Indian Industry).

Less than 20% of corporate health programmes cover essential diagnostics, despite their role in 60–70% of clinical decisions, the report said.

Titled ‘Workplace Health Reimagined: Corporate India’s Readiness for Digital Health Leadership’, the report said only 1.9% of eligible Indian women undergo cervical cancer screening, and just 36% of corporates provide targeted wellness benefits for women, with even fewer extending support for eldercare and mental health. The report also notes that over 70% of employees have at least one lifestyle-related risk factor, though only 20% of employers provide routine health screenings. The report introduces Corporate Wellness Quotient (CWQ), a comprehensive benchmarking tool measuring digital wellness maturity and readiness of corporate across four pillars: access & affordability, policy integration, digital enablement, and employee engagement. India’s average CWQ score stands at 55/100, with fewer than 15% of companies achieving a ‘Mature’ wellness readiness level, it said.

“Employee wellness can no longer be treated as an optional benefit but must be considered a strategic imperative. At MediBuddy, we are happy to support this transformation by delivering care that is proactive, personalised, and powered by technology," Satish Kannan, co-founder and CEO, MediBuddy, said.

The report highlights how employee wellness in India is moving beyond one-size-fits-all health programs to more integrated, inclusive, personalised, and digitally powered wellness solutions. Employees now expect benefits that reflect their life, role, and risk profile across domains such as mental health, chronic care, eldercare, and preventive screenings. At the same time, employee engagement is being increasingly driven by features such as gamified health journeys and wellness wallets. Additionally, mobile-first platforms and OPD access for dependents are now becoming differentiators in how employees engage with corporate wellness programmes, with inclusion-focused benefits becoming key in addressing diverse workforce needs. The report also suggests a10-step wellness blueprint, which offers companies a strategic roadmap to build resilient and inclusive care ecosystems to transition from annual health camps to always-on, digital-first ecosystems.