The State of Wellness in the Office Furniture Industry: What the 2025 I Care Survey Tells Us

The office furniture industry prides itself on solving workplace challenges. We design for collaboration, productivity and flexibility. But INDEAL Cares’ latest I Care Employee Wellness Survey reminds us that while products matter, people matter more. The 2025 results highlight a workforce that is adapting, sometimes thriving, but often still struggling to balance the demands of work, health and life. 

This year’s survey captured voices from across the industry — dealers, manufacturers, A&D firms, consultants and others. Dealers made up the majority of respondents at 71%. And with two-thirds of industry employees working remote or hybrid, it’s clear that our workplaces, both physical and virtual, continue to evolve. 

Physical wellness is important, but the survey found that mental health is critical as well. 

46% of respondents rated their mental health as “excellent” or “very good,” a slight dip from 2024. Another 39% said their mental health was “good,” leaving 14% in the “fair” or “poor” category. These aren’t alarming numbers, but they do signal room for improvement.  

When asked what they’d like to work on, employees were candid: 46% want to reduce stress and anxiety. A third want to improve sleep. Others want clearer priorities, better balance or simply more happiness. These aren’t abstract concerns. They’re proof of an industry working at a break-neck pace. 

Interestingly, respondents were split on whether work helps or hurts. 41% said work contributes somewhat positively to their mental health, while 35% said somewhat negatively. Notably, no one said work was “very negative,” which is a small but important signal that workplaces aren’t breaking people, but they aren’t always helping them thrive either. 

Physical activity remains a challenge in the industry. 56% described their workplace movement as “excellent” or “good,” unchanged from last year. But the more telling statistic is what employees want: 65% said they want to exercise more regularly, a jump from 54% in 2024 and a huge leap from earlier years. Will this year finally be the year to get in shape? 

Diet was also on the list, with half of respondents saying they’d like to improve their eating habits or lose weight. Alcohol consumption barely registered this year, dropping to just 4% after years of higher concern. In short, people are increasingly aware that sitting too long and eating poorly are undermining their well-being and they want solutions. 

For an industry that designs products to make work more comfortable, it’s sobering that 43% of respondents report back or neck pain. That number is virtually unchanged from last year. Millennials reported the most pain, followed by Gen X and then Boomers. The irony isn’t lost here: the very people selling ergonomic solutions are struggling with spine health themselves. 

There is some good news. Employees feel clearer about their roles. Nearly 89% said they have clarity about what’s expected of them, up significantly from 79% last year. That’s a big leap and a sign that managers and leaders are communicating better. 

Satisfaction is also trending upward. About 27% of employees said they are “highly satisfied” with their work experience, up from 23% in 2024. More than half — 53% — said they are “satisfied,” a jump from 41% last year. Those gains came mostly from the “somewhat satisfied” category, which dropped from 18% to just under 6%. 

Perhaps the most surprising finding is in how employees perceive their employer’s commitment to wellness. Flexibility was the number one answer again, but only 31% named it this year compared to 54% in 2024. Support for team gatherings dropped from 48% to 20%. Sharing business strategy and planning fell from 44% to 17%. Even investment in training and workspace design slipped. 

The drop suggests a recalibration is happening. The pandemic-era push for flexibility, connection, and wellness may be fading as companies return to “business as usual.” But the survey makes clear that employees still expect wellness to be part of the conversation. 

The 2025 I Care Survey offers a simple but powerful message: wellness isn’t a perk. It’s a necessity. Employees want workplaces that support their mental health, encourage movement, reduce stress, and offer clarity. They want to feel satisfied, connected, and supported. For the office furniture industry, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. We sell the products that can encourage movement, reduce spine pain, and create spaces for focus or collaboration. But beyond products, we need to model the culture we’re selling; one where wellness is a priority, not an afterthought. 

If nearly half of our colleagues are stressed, tired, or in pain, then the work isn’t done. But with rising satisfaction and clarity, we can see progress. The industry has the tools. The question is whether it has the will to keep wellness at the top of the agenda. 

INDEAL Cares is committed to supporting employee well-being in the Commercial Interiors Industry and understanding and reporting on workplace wellness trends over time. Visit our Living Well Library for practical resources designed around our four pillar areas: Active Living, Mental Health, Disease Prevention, and Spine Health.