Why Wellness Programs Aren’t Enough — And What to Do About It

In this episode of the Change Management Review™ Podcast, host Theresa Moulton speaks with industrial-organizational psychologists Patricia Grabarek, PhD, and Katina Sawyer, PhD, co-founders of Workr Beeing, about what it truly takes to create workplaces where people can thrive.

Drawing on their research and upcoming book Leading for Wellness, they challenge the common assumption that wellness is driven by programs and perks. Instead, they reveal that workplace well-being is shaped far more by leadership behaviors, team environments, and the day-to-day experiences employees have at work.

At the center of their work is a simple but often overlooked insight: employees don’t struggle because they lack access to wellness initiatives—they struggle because of the environments they work within. Leaders play a critical role in shaping those environments, influencing everything from psychological safety to workload expectations and team dynamics.

This conversation explores how leaders can move beyond surface-level solutions and begin building cultures grounded in trust, authenticity, and accountability—where wellness becomes a natural outcome of how work is designed and led.

You’ll discover:

• Why traditional wellness programs often fail to address the root causes of employee stress
• How leadership behavior—not perks—has the greatest impact on workplace well-being
• The role of vulnerability in building trust, psychological safety, and stronger team relationships
• Why creating space for honest conversations can reduce mental health stigma at work
• How language shapes culture—and the subtle ways it can either reinforce or reduce stigma
• Practical ways leaders can support employees without needing to be experts in mental health
• How to begin shifting culture, even within environments that are resistant or toxic
• Why wellness is deeply individual—and how leaders can tailor support more effectively

Why this matters

If you lead teams, support organizational change, or influence culture, this conversation offers a critical reframing: wellness is not an initiative—it is an outcome of leadership and environment.

Grabarek and Sawyer make a compelling case that investing in leadership capability is the most effective way to improve both employee well-being and organizational performance. As they emphasize, when people feel supported, understood, and able to bring their full selves to work, they are better equipped to contribute, collaborate, and sustain performance over time.

Guest Bio

Patricia Grabarek, PhD is the co-founder of Workr Beeing and an industrial-organizational psychologist specializing in workplace wellness, organizational culture, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development. She has led people analytics and talent initiatives across more than 60 organizations and is recognized as one of Culture Amp’s Top 25 Emerging Culture Creators for 2024. Her work focuses on research-based strategies that improve well-being, retention, and performance.

Katina Sawyer, PhD is the co-founder of Workr Beeing and an Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the University of Arizona. A leading expert in work-life balance, leadership, and positive workplace behaviors, she has published over 50 peer-reviewed works and contributes to outlets such as Harvard Business Review. Her research and consulting work focus on helping organizations create healthier, more productive work environments.