Nine out of 10 employers are increasing investment in mental health programmes; and 72% expect most or all of new investment in workplace wellbeing to be virtual/digital, according to a new study.
The 5th annual Employee Wellness Industry Trends Report from Wellable Labs reveals that employers are prioritising mental health programmes for employees. The report noted a rapid increase in adoption and investment of workplace wellbeing programmes as the pandemic triggers mental health conditions. The majority of employers surveyed are increasing their investment in mental health programmes (90%); followed closely by stress management and resilience programmes (76%); and mindfulness and meditation programmes (71%).
VIRTUAL SOLUTIONS
Virtual employee benefits are now the preference as employers expand their offerings. The fight to attract and retain top talent continues, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. Employers are still focusing on expanding employee benefits and wellness offerings, but now, virtual wellness solutions are taking precedence. According to their brokers, 72% of employers who expect to be investing more in health and well-being will do so completely or mostly virtually. Examples of such benefits include on-demand fitness classes, health education and literacy, health coaching and health fairs.
Although employers are focusing their efforts on mental health programmes and flexible work schedules (73%), this alone is not enough to mitigate employee burnout, revealed the study. Worryingly, only a mere 1% of surveyed health providers believe their clients have a strong understanding of how well employees are managing chronic workplace stress; and taking action to combat this. In the year ahead, health benefit experts are urging companies to have a clear strategy in place.
TELEMEDICINE BENEFITS
Due to the sharp rise in remote work and safety concerns at heath offices, the adoption of telemedicine has also accelerated. Employees and employers alike have come to appreciate telemedicine’s ability to offer flexible, on-demand; and cost-effective solutions. As a result, 80% of employers plan to invest more in this benefit in the coming year.
“After two volatile years filled with unpredictability, resilience is declining; and employees are looking to their employers to generate certainty,” stated Brighid Sullivan, Director of Wellable Labs. “Organisations now have no choice but to reevaluate their total benefits strategy and their unique employee needs to ensure their approach meets the demand of the modern employee. Based on the trends we’re seeing in this year’s Employee Wellness Industry Trends Report, employers should focus on benefit selection and design through a lens of empathy, support, and expectation management; and they should emphasise rebuilding trust within their organisation. Those who do will have the best chance of rebuilding their workforce for long-term success; as we come out on the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
On a positive note, the majority of staff (71%) also believe their employers are genuinely concerned with their mental health, confirmed another recent US employee wellness survey. Click here to read more.
Sign up for our newsletter
