Key takeaways

• Employee well-being is supported through meaningful relationships, compassion, growth opportunities and resources that help employees thrive.
• A shared mission and culture of belonging help employees feel connected, valued and empowered to contribute.
• As a recognized employer of choice, UnitedHealth Group continues to invest in employee well-being, growth and career development.

How workplace culture supports employee well-being

When people consider a new career opportunity, they often ask themselves: Will I feel supported here? Will my work have purpose? Can I build a meaningful career while also taking care of myself and the people who matter most?

For many job seekers, workplace culture and well-being are important parts of the career decision process. People want to work in an environment where they feel respected, supported and connected to something bigger than themselves.

Here, our mission influences not only the work we do, but also how we support our employees. Across the organization, employees describe a culture where people are encouraged to grow, contribute their ideas, build meaningful relationships and prioritize their well-being, creating a positive employee experience regardless of team or location.

Why culture matters in the workplace

A positive employee experience and workplace culture start with purpose.

Stephanie M., vice president — culture & experience, explains the connection between employee well-being and purpose, “A great employee experience starts with purpose. We want employees to understand how their work contributes to our mission of helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health system work better for everyone.”

Whether someone works in clinical care, technology, customer service, marketing, operations or another area of the business, their work contributes to improving health outcomes and helping more people access the care they need.

Supporting employee well-being at work and at home

Employee well-being is about more than workplace programs or benefits. It is about creating an environment where employees feel cared for, respected and supported through both personal and professional moments.

A commitment to supporting employees’ physical, emotional, financial and overall well-being includes providing resources that help people be their best at work and at home.

For Jasmin R., associate business systems analyst, the culture is defined by the way people care for one another. “When you consider the workplace culture here, one word that comes to mind is compassion.”

She shared a personal experience that demonstrated the support she received from her colleagues and leaders during a personally challenging time. “Everyone was very kind to offer their condolences. It was a difficult time for me, but I felt grateful to have not only a team that supports me, but a company that promotes this kind of behavior.”

Experiences like these help reinforce an important belief: When people feel supported as individuals, they are better equipped to contribute, collaborate and do their best work, strengthening both employee well-being and the overall workplace culture.

How employee feedback shapes workplace culture

A culture that supports well-being also creates opportunities for employees to be heard.

Here, employee feedback helps shape the workplace experience.

Stephanie notes, “Employee feedback plays a critical role in how we shape the workplace experience. We gather insights through surveys, listening sessions, and ongoing feedback channels, giving employees multiple opportunities to share their perspectives.”

She further highlights that just as important as gathering feedback is acting on what employees share. “We use what we learn to identify priorities, strengthen leadership effectiveness, improve communication, and enhance the employee experience at both the local and enterprise level.”

Employees recognize the value of those conversations. Ricky F., principal software engineer, highlights how listening to employee feedback creates an environment where people know their voices matter. “I think what helps are consistent listening sessions with leadership. And those sessions are meaningful. We all see that these conversations lead to action.”

This commitment to listening helps build trust, strengthen engagement and create a culture of continuous improvement.

Connection and belonging support well-being

Well-being is also influenced by the relationships employees build every day. UnitedHealth Group’s values include integrity, compassion, inclusion, relationships, innovation and performance. Together, these values help shape a culture where employees feel connected and supported.

For Ricky, inclusion means creating space for every employee to contribute. “Having an inclusive culture means that everyone, no matter their age group, nationality or experience, has their voice heard.”

Jasmin also sees the importance of relationships in her daily work experience.

“Even though my team is spread out across the world, it doesn’t feel like it. The emphasis on relationships is what allows us to work well and have good communication and cohesiveness.”

When employees feel connected to their colleagues and supported by their teams, they are more likely to experience a sense of belonging that contributes to both personal and professional well-being.

Growing through support and opportunity

Career development and professional growth are important parts of employee well-being. Employees are encouraged to learn, develop new skills and explore opportunities across the organization.

Jasmin says internal mobility has played an important role in how employees can shape their careers.

“With so many growth opportunities within the company, it gives everyone the ability to advance their career in whichever direction they would like to go.”

Creating opportunities for employees to grow while pursuing work that matters helps support a well-rounded employee experience and reinforces the connection between well-being, development and long-term career success.

Why employee well-being matters

The strongest workplace cultures are built intentionally. They are shaped by purpose, strengthened through connection and supported by opportunities for growth. They encourage employees to share their voices, support one another and bring their whole selves to work.

Creating an environment where employees feel supported, connected and empowered is an ongoing priority. As an employer of choice, we’ve earned external recognition for its commitment to employee well-being, including Business Group on Health’s 2026 Best Employers Award. While recognition is meaningful, what matters most is how employees experience that support every day through their teams, leaders and workplace relationships.