#HealthandWellbeing - Health & Well-being Trends to Take Care of Our Human Capital
Uncertain times like the ones we are living due to the COVID-19 have transformed not only our every-day life, but the way companies continue operating and the workforce as well. It is common to hear employees are either exhausted, stressed or even depressed while working from home or in hybrid model. For that reason, taking care of the emotions and the mental health of the employees has become central for companies nowadays.
Let’s analyze important research findings about COVID-19 impact on the workforce according to the survey The State of Employee Health & Well-being 2021, which considered 421 respondents from all over the world:
· 94% of all responding Human Resources professionals agree or strongly agree that Covid-19 significantly reduced the overall well-being of their workforce.
· 84% agree or strongly agree that their organization has done a good job at safeguarding employee well-being since Covid-19 began
· 94% of HR professionals say their organization provides at least one type of initiative intended to enhance some aspect of employee well-being
o 75% physical
o 74% mental/emotional
o 73% workplace/environment
o 66% financial
o 66% social
· Well-being initiatives have a positive effect
o 52% say they have improved employee experiences
o 49% say they have improved employee retention
o 48% say there is greater employee engagement
Among respondents from large organizations, 52% indicate their well-being programs are highly effective versus just 20% from smaller organizations
· The most common steps organizations take regarding employee mental health are:
o 63% Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
o 54% Flexible work arrangements
o 51% Information about managing mental health issues
o 47% Mental health benefits
As a result of this complex scenario, new trends have emerged, geared to take care of employees and achieve business continuity in a healthy environment. Some trends are:
o Free week off
o This trend has been adopted during 2021 by companies like Nike, Bumble and LinkedIn to allow employees to destress, rest and recover. Hootsuite called their initiative Wellness Week.
o Labor Week celebration instead of Labor Day
o A true novelty in the United States implemented during the first week of September 2021.
o Zoom Free Fridays
o Citi Group announced this initiative in March to help the bank's burned-out employees cope with stress a year into the pandemic.
o Behavioral Health Consultation
o Companies are including behavior health professionals as part of their regular on-site or virtual employees’ support & health prevention program.
To secure employee retention and promote a positive internal culture aspirational even to new talent, top management has been more proactive and receptive to Human Resources and Public Relations experts advice. That is one of the many lessons the COVID-19 pandemic has given us all.
The word crisis in Japanese (危機=kiki) has the kanjis 危, which means danger and 機, meaning opportunity. We as Public Relations practitioners have had a golden opportunity amidst this crisis to secure a space at the top management table with our sensible and expert advice, this time in favor of our most valuable asset, our human capital. Those who allow us access to key corporate decisions will cultivate great business results. In a 3-to-5-year period we can measure and evaluate the outcomes. See you then to continue this conversation!
Gladys Díaz, APR, #R-209
GA Regional Delegate-at-Large, Latin America
ARPPR Accreditation Chair and Principal at GMD Public Relations Consultant, Inc., Puerto Rico
Any thoughts or opinions expressed are that of the author and not of Global Alliance.