REBA Employee Wellbeing Research 2020: Wellbeing is evolving to be at the core of workplace culture

REBA’s Employee Wellbeing Research 2020 report, in association with AXA PPP healthcare, is released today. It provides key facts and figures that give invaluable insight into current practices and emerging trends in workplace wellbeing and how these can contribute towards building a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

Those findings are put into context with expert commentary pieces from a wide range of contributors including Dame Carol Black and Paul Farmer, CEO of Mind, and 10 real-life case studies from organisations including Just Eat, Jaguar Land Rover and Molson Coors.

The research found:

Wellbeing programmes are becoming a defining feature of business’ culture, helping to develop resilient, successful organisations. Companies that have a mental health strategy have leapt ahead of those without, in terms of the progress they have made in creating more open, positive corporate cultures.

Senior leaders remain committed to addressing poor mental health and are gaining more in-depth understanding of its causes. Employers are recognising that personal concerns, such as caring responsibilities, are sources of poor mental wellbeing alongside workplace issues like volume and pressure of work. There is also recognition of the impact that business issues, such as organisational change, have on employees’ wellbeing and their engagement at work.

Insurance benefits are starting to integrate more closely with wider wellbeing strategies. If benefits, culture and strategy are more closely aligned, this will boost the value of wellbeing and potentially reduce costs. Overcoming barriers such as siloed offerings and disjointed decision-making will also help to support this.

There is a growing appetite for a more data-driven approach to wellbeing and measuring effectiveness is on the rise. However, organisations say they sometimes still lack usable data they can turn into actionable insight, or where data is available, the infrastructure or expertise to make it relevant. Identifying the link between productivity and wellbeing is a key factor for future development of strategies, driving retention, recruitment and business success from a happy, healthy workforce.

Gender-based health services as well as mental health are immediate priorities. Expansion of wellbeing in 2020 focuses on improving financial wellbeing and supporting mental health and resilience. Women’s wellbeing, particularly menopause support, is another area of focus, as is support for carers. Progressive employers are now more willing to tackle taboo subjects and create open cultures that promote inclusivity and enhance wellbeing.

Many of the themes identified in the research are also a core part of the programme at REBA’s Employee Wellbeing Congress in September. You’ll also be able to hear more from many of the expert research commentators at the event.

The Executive Summary of the research is available to download for free, and the full report is available free of charge for REBA Members.