By Manuela Dos Santos, Global Account Manager at Atrium HR Consulting

Globally, corporate spending on wellbeing initiatives is set to surpass the US$94.6 billion mark by 2026, and yet it seems that the expected improvements in wellbeing are not evident. The incidence of mental health issues is, in fact, on the increase, so the question really is why aren’t workplace wellbeing programmes achieving better outcomes?

Whilst wellbeing programmes that focus solely on the individual playsan important role in supporting employee mental health, research shows that they are simply not enough in isolation.

An effective wellbeing strategy needs to focus on the broader issues that affect workers, in conjunction with the wellbeing programmes aimed at the individual.

A shift is required in order to truly address the challenges employees face. Whilst individual-level interventions and programmes are the easier option for an organisation to put in place, businesses need to consider broader organisational level changes to support with key drivers of workplace wellbeing such as job demands, flexibility and managerial support.

So how do you decide on what is required, and what organisational changes might be required in order to meet employee needs that will ultimately impact the bottom line?

Simply put, you need data.

Employee feedback and insights gathered through surveys or employee focus groups, will provide the organisation with a clear roadmap of what changes need to be implemented.

Furthermore, you can identify trends, address ‘under water’ issues, and measure the impact of the current wellbeing initiatives on key performance indicators such as productivity, retention and recruitment.

Some of the current trends in employee wellbeing:

• A holistic approach: Ensure that your programme caters to each unique individual, and encompasses mental, emotional and physical health
• Prevention: Statistics show that 1 in 5 working adults needed to take time off work in the past year due to poor mental health caused by pressure or stress. Implementing preventative measures and encouraging employees to seek assistance with lifestyle changes and improving resilience, will help to mitigate the risk of employee burnout and enhance overall wellbeing, which in turn will show a reduction in absenteeism and presenteeism.
• Flexibility: Employees continue to demand greater flexibility in the workplace. Flexible work arrangements promote work-life balance and are guaranteed to boost employee engagement.
• Sense of belonging: A focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion will create a work environment where every employee feels valued and supported, which contributes to retention and loyalty to the organisation. The new world of remote working is particularly challenging in terms of social connections, but initiatives such as mentorships, buddy programmes, recognition initiatives and social activities can help to instil a sense of camaraderie and belonging for all employees.
• Leadership and wellbeing: Almost 70% of people agree that their manager has more impact on their mental health than their therapist or their doctor. Leaders need to prioritise their own wellbeing and also need to be empowered with insights in how to face the challenges of managing people in a busy workplace.
  

If you’re looking for a holistic approach to wellbeing, let’s discuss and see how we can support.

Supporting each employee and putting them at the heart.

Atrium’s Global Wellbeing Programme offers employees a confidential and personalised service that puts them and their overall wellbeing at the heart. It is a holistic offering which ensures that support is available not only for mental and emotional health needs, but also empowers employees to take control of their physical health by supporting lifestyle habits, which are an important factor in mitigating health risks.

Wellbeing Programme highlights:

• Multi-Lingual counselling and therapy in the language that an employee is most comfortable with
• Qualified and accredited counsellors
• Qualified specialists in nutrition, fitness and osteopathy
• Confidential support for employees
• Global online services, supporting employees no matter where they are in the world

Support on an organisation level, with:

• Training and Development: An important component of a holistic wellbeing strategy in that in improves how employees work, encourages new ideas and boosts employee engagement.
• HR Solutions: Professionals on hand to work with you to streamline processes, look over policies and make recommendations as to where improvements can be made. This type of HR support helps to ensure that you maximise the potential of your international workforce.

In closing, most businesses have come to understand that a well devised wellbeing strategy is a necessity and not just a nice-to-have. The knock-on effects on employee engagement, productivity and performance, mean that supporting employees’ wellbeing and mental health is an investment in your people and the future of your organisation.

By fostering a culture of care and support, companies create an environment where employees can thrive, leading to greater success for both individuals and the organisation as a whole.

If you are interested in Atrium HR Consulting’s Wellbeing Services for your business, contact our wellbeing department here.