Most employees don’t need ping-pong tables, kombucha machines, or quirky office perks.
What they do need — and what the U.S. Surgeon General lists as the fourth essential for workplace well-being — is something far simpler:

To know they matter.

Mattering at work is one of the strongest predictors of motivation, retention, and mental well-being. It’s the feeling of being valued, recognized, and trusted. It’s knowing your work contributes to something bigger, and that the people around you see the effort you put in.

And in today’s workforce, that feeling is disappearing. What “Mattering at Work” Really Means

According to the Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being, Mattering at Work includes three key components:

1. Dignity

Feeling respected as a person, not just valued for productivity.

2. Purpose

Feeling that your work contributes to the organization’s mission and the well-being of others.

3. Recognition

Feeling seen — not just for big wins, but for the daily effort that keeps everything moving.

When employees experience these, performance improves naturally.
When they don’t, burnout spreads quickly.

Why Mattering Is Such a Powerful Health Indicator

Research shows that when employees feel invisible or undervalued:

• Stress increases
• Motivation drops
• Engagement collapses
• Physical and mental health decline

Chronic stress — especially tied to feeling replaceable or overlooked — has direct links to anxiety, depression, and heart health.

But the opposite is also true:
Employees who feel valued report greater energy, fulfillment, resilience, and loyalty.

Mattering isn’t a “soft skill.”
It’s a wellness strategy.

How The Office Gym Helps Employees Feel They Matter

Movement is a form of acknowledgment.
When a company says, “We care about your health,” employees feel something deeper: “We care about you.”

Introducing The Office Gym into the workday signals that employee well-being isn’t an afterthought — it’s a priority.
It says:
“You deserve to feel good while you work.”
“You deserve energy, mobility, and support.”
“You matter here.”

Small, daily moments of movement also help employees reconnect to themselves. A two-minute reset reminds the brain, “You’re human, not a machine.” That message alone improves morale.

How Companies Can Strengthen Mattering at Work

1. Give genuine recognition — not generic praise.
2. Protect time for health — including movement breaks and wellness moments.
3. Align roles with purpose — help employees see the impact of their work.
4. Empower employee voice — ask for input and act on it.
5. Show care consistently — not just during reviews or wellness weeks.

Coming Next Week: Opportunity for Growth

Our final post in the series will focus on Opportunity for Growth — how skill development, learning pathways, and growth support build healthier, more motivated workplaces.

✅ Key Takeaway

When employees feel they matter, the workplace becomes a space of pride, purpose, and well-being — not pressure.

At The Office Gym, our mission is simple:
Help employees feel better, move better, and matter more — every single day.