For many employers, the challenges and changes of 2020 are carrying a familiar sense of employee uncertainty into 2021. And while some have come a long way in effectively mitigating crises and helping remote employees feel connected, a significant number of today’s employees are still feeling worried—and it’s taking a toll on their overall health and well-being.
According to the October 2020 Leading Indicator Systems Workforce Listening Study, since May 2020, U.S. workforces have witnessed:
With findings like these, it’s even more vital for employers to deepen their commitment to employee wellness in 2021. To help keep your employees connected, motivated and in high morale, here are 7 proactive wellness initiatives you can implement this year:
In the “new normal,” employees are scattered across numerous offsite locations and rarely reachable in a breakroom down the hall. Communicating key benefits information can no longer be left to a wall poster, door sign, or stack of brochures in the reception area. Instead, employers should think digital by:
While it’s ideal when employees are intrinsically motivated to stay well, helping them adopt and maintain healthy habits is the overall goal of any wellness program. Here are some creative suggestions:
Since the onset of the pandemic, mental health programs are seeing a rapid increase in investment and implementation, with 88% of employers increasing their investment in mental health programs, 81% in stress management and resilience programs, and 69% in mindfulness and meditation programs. Since a happy, healthy workforce is more productive, finding programs that cover the whole spectrum of employee wellness is key to strengthening your workforce well-being strategy:
Instead of focusing on treatment, many employers find themselves honing in on preventive benefits to boost workplace wellness. This, in turn, can lower instances of chronic illness among employees and their impact on overall healthcare costs. When employers approach employee well-being from a mindset of prevention, they give their employees the tools they need to make healthier choices, stay motivated to be well, and address potential health concerns before they arise.
Technology has become an essential tool for helping workplaces thrive in the new normal, and the same goes for employee health outside the physical provider’s office. According to Human Resource Today’s 2021 Employee Wellness Industry Trends Report, telemedicine programs have experienced one of the most significant rises in wellness benefits popularity, with 87% of employers planning to invest more in these initiatives in the coming year.
Communicating telemedicine benefits to employees is a proactive way to arm them with the tools they need to take control of their health wherever they are. Whether it’s a primary care consult, a behavioral therapy session or a simple screening, letting them know how easy it is to tap into this particular resource can only serve to strengthen your employee wellness measures.
Supporting caretakers and parents is a vital part of fostering health and wellness in the modern workplace. As employers look to retain and attract new talent, they’re becoming increasingly mindful of the need for benefits that cater to this dynamic— such as flexible scheduling, childcare, paid leave, and even virtual activities for children and dependents. In fact, 89% of brokers believe employers will continue to offer such benefits even after the pandemic has subsided.
Although social isolation has become a necessary practice to curb the spread of Covid-19, it’s also a key contributor to mental health complications. Because of this, employers should encourage and facilitate social connection, team building opportunities, and a chance to give back. Whether this is achieved by virtual events like happy hours and game nights or setting up corporate social responsibility programs, the onus is on employers to engage their employees in endeavors that spark connection and a shared sense of purpose. Anything that encourages employee interaction can help combat the isolation and emotional health challenges many are facing.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to employee wellness, but organizations who take the initiative to proactively prioritize workplace health and wellness will be better able to weather the ups and downs of 2021 with a happier, healthier workforce.