5 ways tech can help to better support employee wellbeing
Employers across the globe rose to the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic and embraced technology such as Zoom and Teams, which has remained in use today thanks to the adoption of hybrid/remote working practices.
However, other challenges remain: the global economic crisis, the war in Ukraine and the omnipresent climate crisis. Employee wellbeing has been extensively spoken and written about by HR experts in terms of physical, financial and mental wellbeing. As we move towards 2023, what does the future of technology of HR hold and how will it help improve employee wellbeing?
The effect of hybrid/remote work
According to Bruce Daisley, ex-vice-president of Twitter, one of the negatives of hybrid/remote working is that many people have started working through what would have been their normal commute to work. Therefore, burnout is going to be much more likely by the end of the year if “HR doesn’t make changes to the new ‘normal’ way of working”.
What changes does HR need to make?
More than two-thirds of employees working for some of the largest companies in the US say they wished their employer offered mental health benefits. According to Human Resources Director, while some wellbeing benefits are covered by health insurance, more specialist benefits are not, leaving employers to fill the gap, especially in the area of mental health.
Employers that put employee wellbeing at the top of their agenda find it helps boost productivity and company status. In the UK, some companies are already providing extra wages and benefits for employees during the cost-of-living crisis and times of high inflation.
It’s no longer the case where rolling out a discounted or free gym membership will suffice in improving employee wellbeing – there have to be other benefits on offer too.
1. Integrate a total rewards and benefits platform and app
Most companies have some kind of HR platform that has employee benefits all in one place alongside total rewards. But because HR has moved towards a more humancentric approach to wellbeing benefits, an HR platform with a top-notch communication engine is badly needed. Employees need to feel that their benefits are tailor-made just for them, and that they are receiving support with their wellbeing through the platform and app.
2. Use the relevant benefits to tackle wellbeing issues
There is a multitude of wellbeing tools available ranging from mental health apps, wellness tracking apps and employee assistance programs (EAPs). Communicating mental health programmes is key in reducing stress and increasing employee wellbeing.
3. Increase work flexibility
Hybrid/remote working is here to stay. Employees are mostly happy with hybrid work because it allows a better work-life balance and employers that use a HR platform find it easy to communicate with workforces that might be spread out across a country or the globe.
4. Have mental health support on tap
The stigma of mental health or signs of burnout can be alleviated by using virtual doctor appointments through HR tech. This is fast becoming a good solution because employees can speak to a health professional as required. This is especially good when it comes to mental health.
The ability for employees to reach out for help when they need it is incredibly valuable, and if HR tech provides this at the touch of a button, it has to be worthwhile for employers.
5. Increase communication
For an employer with a workforce of thousands of people it might be a daunting task to sit down with all of them them privately. This is why technology is making it possible for employees to check in on a regular basis through, for examples, questionnaires.
The cost of health benefits is expected to go up by 10% globally in 2023 and, for an employer whose budget will be affected by inflation, the five changes listed above should help you look after your employees.
In partnership with Benify
Benify offers the market's leading global benefits and total reward platform.
