What Wellness Strategies Are Modern Workplaces Embracing?

Companies in the US are increasingly upping their expenditure on employee wellness, with a majority offering wellness programs and around 72% of them seeing a reduction in healthcare costs following the implementation of a wellness program. Wellness programs can reduce absenteeism by up to 19%. Workers who participate in wellness programs are also benefiting, with around 56% of them saying they have fewer sick days because of them. Companies wishing to amplify their offerings and help employees battle stress may wish to take note of the following trends in workplace wellness programs, as reported by Wellable Labs.

A Greater Investment in Mental Health

Mental health is currently attracting larger investments from the greatest proportion of employers, followed by telemedicine, stress management and resilience, and mindfulness and meditation. Clearly, most of the categories within this list fall into the mental health spectrum, with companies offering solutions such as employee assistance programs, digital health tools, education, and flexible work schedules. Poor mental health affects productivity, physical functioning, and the likelihood of returning to work after experiencing a physical injury. Indeed, assistance with mental health is particularly important for employees who may have already had a physical injury. One in three people experiences depression or PTSD after a traumatic injury. They may have issues with mobility, as well as their physical and social activity.

Fighting Burnout

As a result of the pandemic, burnout is increasingly becoming a big obstacle for workers. The top trends to address this problem include providing workers with mental health resources and offering flexible hours. Collective days off, engagement activities, and workload adjustments are also holding sway. Interestingly, flexibility is one of the top qualities being prioritized by millennial job hunters. This health-conscious generation keenly understands the link between a good quality of life and happiness. According to a survey by WorldatWork and FlexJobs, around 80% of companies are offering flexible work arrangements. The top three flexibility programs are remote work on an ad-hoc basis, flex time, and part-time schedules. Approximately half of all managers believe telecommuters are as productive as in-office employees.

Supporting Caregivers

Because many employees are also caregivers, numerous organizations are providing additional tools to support them at work. Once again, flexibility comes into the equation, as do remote work, caregiver-provider referral services. Additional offerings include paid time off, counseling services, child-care service subsidies, caregiving support groups and caregiving seminars or classes. A smaller percentage of companies are offering on-site or near-site childcare, unpaid leave, and voluntary part-time work or reduced hours.

Falling Stars

Some trends that rose during the peak of the pandemic are now expected to attract lower investments. These include health fairs, free healthy food, biometric screenings, and on-site clinics. On-site fitness classes are also less popular. The reason for the demise of these trends is the shift away from services that require in-office attendance.

Companies in the US are investing more in their employees’ mental health, with top trends including mental health initiatives, telemedicine, stress management, and mindfulness and meditation. Flexibility is also on the rise, as is enhanced help for caregivers.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.