Well-being is commonly defined as a holistic measure of life quality. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes it as "the state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous." Global organizations further refine this concept. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights well-being as the ability to realize one’s potential and manage everyday stresses. The OECD assesses it through a multi-dimensional framework that balances "material living conditions" (such as income and housing) with "quality of life" (including work-life balance, education, and health). These perspectives position well-being as a balance between an individual’s internal resources and their external environment.
In manufacturing, well-being has shifted from a secondary benefit to a strategic priority in Industry 5.0. Unlike the efficiency focus of Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0 is "human-centric," emphasizing psychological safety and physical flourishing. This involves deploying collaborative robots (cobotics) to alleviate physical strain and intuitive AI interfaces to minimize cognitive overload.
By prioritizing well-being, manufacturers build resilient workplaces that prevent burnout and retain technical expertise. Recent trends show that professionals now consider well-being a fundamental right rather than an optional benefit. Psychological safety, or the assurance that individuals can make mistakes or speak up without fear of punishment, is a key factor.
In the "phygital" era, demand for work-life balance and meaningful use of technology is rising. Data indicates that younger generations, such as Gen Z and Alpha, value mental support and a respectful culture more than traditional salary incentives, making well-being essential for talent retention.