While companies may promote wellness programs as a way to invest in the health of their employees, many focus too much on reducing medical costs and offer step challenges and gyms that employees don’t have time to take advantage of. tend to offer discounts.
While these efforts are well-intentioned, many wellness programs built on a “set-it-and-forget” mentality are often undervalued and serve the needs of employees both on and off the job. is insufficient to support it. Gartner’s 2021 Employee Value Proposition Benchmark study found that even though 87% of employees have access to services that can provide mental and emotional well-being, employees who take advantage of them It was revealed that only 23% of his employeesThe same pattern applies to physical and financial well-being programs. To make matters worse, many companies waste valuable financial resources on ineffective programs. On the other hand, they are struggling with the costs of talent loss, replacing disengaged employees, and plummeting productivity.
“It is especially important for employers to modernize their wellness services at a time when workers continue to retire quietly and many companies struggle to fill vacancies.”
Dylan Gomi, a wellness expert and founder and CEO of Diradigence, a company that works with organizations to create physical and mental health events, says that today’s employees need the most. The goal is to improve energy.
As workers continue to quietly retire and many companies struggle to fill vacancies, it’s important for employers to take action now with the goal of attracting and retaining talent and keeping workers happy and healthy. It is especially important to revamp your wellness services, which will increase productivity and productivity and improve your bottom line.
Mental health issues affect work
COVID-19 has highlighted the fact that workers expect their employers to do more than provide access to mental health apps or set fitness challenges. After all, many employees suffer from serious mental health issues. Three-quarters of full-time workers in the U.S. report having symptoms of at least one mental health condition, and 84% work in an emotionally draining job, according to Mindshare Partners’ 2021 Workplace Mental Health Report. Their mental health was negatively affected by at least one workplace factor, such as
“In recent years, many workplace health programs have focused on ways to reduce health care costs, but these programs are not sufficient to meet the needs of employees.”
Additionally, the survey found that the most desired “resource” by respondents (31%) was a more open culture around mental health.
In recent years, many workplace wellness programs have focused on ways to reduce health care costs, but these programs are not sufficient to meet the needs of employees. Particularly during the pandemic, companies have realized that when employees’ physical, mental, and emotional energy is depleted, productivity naturally suffers.
This impact on productivity can also be due to burnout, which is characterized by fatigue, cynicism, and lack of efficiency, and is often caused by chronic stress at work. Companies ultimately end up paying the cost of lost productivity due to silent quits and the cost of replacing those who have left because they are miserably burnt out. The cost of replacing an employee is said to be three to four times the position’s salary, so it’s worth preventing turnover due to burnout.
Why companies should pay attention to employee energy
Research shows that employees who are in good health are more likely to feel engaged and productive at work, and employees with good mental health are less likely to experience burnout . Research also shows that physical exercise increases effective cognition and memory in adults. Gallup research also found that companies with high levels of employee engagement report 23% higher profitability than companies with low levels of employee engagement.
If you want your organization to reap the benefits of improved employee health, it’s time to reinvent your employee wellness programs to help improve your employees’ energy levels. This means delivering targeted, customized solutions that address the specific needs of your employees, including physical health, mental health, spiritual well-being, and a sense of purpose. To support employees, companies must:
- Increase access to services that increase efficiency and save time. Organizations should offer services such as childcare, elder care, career coaching, personal training, and therapy to help employees find a healthier work-life balance.
- Increase awareness of the program. Remind employees regularly about the services available to them and emphasize how their participation is valued by the organization.
- Reduce the stigma of mental health issues. Employees shouldn’t spend emotional and mental energy worrying about being penalized for actually taking advantage of benefits services. Managers can encourage employees to use the service by acting as role models and talking about using the program itself.
- Listen to your employees and focus on what works. Create regular feedback mechanisms and audit which services your employees are using and enjoying, and which services have a high return on investment. Continue to invest in programs that are working and cut those that are not.
By prioritizing energy management and investing in resources that support employees physically, mentally, emotionally, and energetically, companies can use benefits as a strategy to improve performance and increase profits. can.
You’ll probably also like:
Do you have feedback or ideas to share? Email the Working Knowledge team at hbswk@hbs.edu.
Image: iStock/Prostock Studio
