Expert view: AXA Health’s CEO on being there for employees when it matters most
Who has responsibility for health and wellbeing? Individuals themselves, the NHS, other health organisations, employers? They all play a critical role.
This year’s Employee Wellbeing Research shows the onus on employers is set to increase with employee expectations rising around anticipated health and wellbeing support.
Creating company-wide ownership
We all are individually responsible for adopting healthy habits. But as employers, we can build better awareness and understanding to aid an individual to take ownership of their own wellbeing. In order to achieve these gains, it’ll be imperative that HR builds ownership of wellbeing strategy more broadly across the organisation.
The research finds that line managers, wellbeing champions, external partners and workplace networks will all have increased health and wellbeing responsibility over the next two years.
Accessible, personalised support
How employees experience their lives at work is also fundamental. Health and wellbeing is not just about strategy, policy, benefits and costs but creating an environment that intertwines inclusion with wellbeing.
Organisations need to understand what personalised means for their people, and support the diverse and dynamic needs of their workforces to ensure that the right services and solutions are in place at the right time, for every employee at every life stage.
A health and wellbeing culture should nurture a holistic approach that centres on prevention, while quickly connecting to easily accessible, appropriate support when needed.
A concerning statistic in our recent Mind Health Workplace Report highlighted that fewer people with a mental health condition are now supported by a mental health professional (48% in 2024, compared with 59% in 2023).
Evolving technology and digital tools like AI will play a role in supporting health and sustainability. It is vital that this should be both an enabler and patient-centric – connecting human support and intervention where most suitable.
It’s one of the reasons we’re expanding our online outpatient credentials, following our acquisition of HBSUK, an example of which is our recent Digestive Health service, enabling online access to specialists in their field.
Unlock the value of wellbeing
Informed conversations will improve outcomes. And – as the research and our client experiences show – organisations, along with support from their partners, are becoming increasingly savvy at collecting and using data to identify targeted health and wellbeing interventions that will boost performance and productivity, and manage risks.
An organisation that lives and breathes health and wellbeing throughout will reap the benefits. And individuals will be enabled to access support in as simple a way as possible at the point of need.
In partnership with AXA Health
At AXA Health, we've been a trusted provider of quality healthcare for over 75 years.
