3 weeks ago
One-size-fits-all wellness programmes failing Gen Z workers in India
A report says many young workers in India feel anxious but do not go for yearly health check-ups.
Companies offer health programmes, like insurance and therapy sessions, to their employees.
But these programmes often treat everyone the same, even though workers have very different ages and needs.
A programme that works for a 24-year-old may feel cold and official to a 60-year-old.
Young workers say insurance papers are too hard to understand, so they stick with company insurance.
They want help that is easy to access, personal, and available all year round.
They want mental health support, regular check-ups, and coverage for long-term illnesses.
More young people are getting diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Companies and insurers need to design programmes that fit the needs of young employees.
Over 90% of under-25 employees surveyed reported symptoms of anxiety, yet fewer than half go for annual health check-ups, according to a MediBuddy-CII report.
The report says corporate wellness programmes use a 'one-size-fits-all' approach for a workforce spanning four generations with varying health priorities.
Young employees say complex jargon and lengthy fine print in insurance forms put them off buying individual policies, so they rely on employer-provided insurance.
Gen Z employees want accessible, personalised and continuous wellbeing support covering physical, mental and preventive care, not just hospitalisation.
Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiac problems are increasingly reported among younger people, prompting calls for broader coverage.
- Who
- Young Gen Z employees in their 20s entering India's workforce, along with corporate wellness programme providers such as MediBuddy.
- What
- A report finds one-size-fits-all corporate wellness programmes are failing to meet the health needs of Gen Z employees, who want personalised, preventive and mental-health-inclusive coverage.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The article was published on August 10, 2026.
- Why
- Because wellness programmes are designed for one generation and applied to all four, and young employees find the offerings complicated, intimidating and too focused on hospitalisation rather than prevention.
Key facts
- Report
- MediBuddy-CII report
- Anxiety symptoms among under-25 employees
- Over 90% surveyed
- Employees going for annual check-ups
- Fewer than half
- Generations in the corporate workforce
- Four
- Key finding
- Programmes are designed for one generation and inflicted on all four
- Rising lifestyle diseases among young people
- Diabetes, hypertension, cardiac problems
- Publication date
- August 10, 2026
Quotes
Chandan Agarwal
Vice‑President, MediBuddy Consumer Business and Marketing
“"They (early-career employees) expect a connected wellbeing ecosystem that supports every dimension of their health — physical, mental and preventive — across different stages of their lives and careers."”
thehindubusinessline.com
“"Expanding coverage for mental health consultations, therapy, psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation and preventive care would encourage people to seek help earlier."”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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