The feel-good factor: Why employee wellbeing is central to the employee experience
In today’s fast-paced working world, prioritising employee wellbeing is essential. For those managing HR and benefits, championing health and wellbeing in the workplace is key in shaping a positive employee experience (EX), which itself can lead to increased happiness and productivity.
Employee wellbeing and EX are closely connected, forming the foundation of a thriving workplace. For truly effective employee wellbeing, employers should take a holistic approach that includes physical, mental, emotional, and financial health. When employers prioritise wellbeing, they are signalling that employee health and happiness matters — a sentiment that resonates deeply in today’s workforce.
Pivotal role
A positive EX encompasses every touchpoint an employee has with their employer, from the first interaction during recruitment to daily work life, career development and beyond. Wellbeing plays a pivotal role in shaping this experience, influencing how employees perceive their workplace and their willingness to commit and contribute.
Investing in employee wellbeing and placing it at the core of your EX isn't just a matter of good practice — it's essential for overall success. A recent report by WPI Economics and commissioned by Unum UK demonstrates the clear link between employee health, happiness, and productivity. Surveying more than 4,000 employees, the study found that 80% of workers are significantly more productive when they feel both physically and mentally well. Furthermore, employees with comprehensive benefits packages are 35% more likely to be happy at work compared with those reporting to be unhappy at work.
Placing wellbeing at the core of the EX positively impacts recruitment, retention, and career development, as well as effectively supporting multigenerational workforces. Our research found that 61% of employees would consider leaving their current job due to a poor benefits package, highlighting the role comprehensive wellbeing initiatives play in enhancing employee satisfaction and loyalty.
Better benefits, top talent
Offering benefits such as mental health support, wellness programmes and flexible working options will help attract top talent. However, perhaps even more importantly, it will create a supportive culture where employees feel valued and motivated to stay, grow and thrive within the business.
This approach is particularly crucial in today’s diverse workforce, where different generations have varying needs and expectations regarding work/life balance, career development and overall wellbeing. As a result, each generation has differing wellbeing needs that they need to have met through employee benefits. Integrating robust wellbeing strategies into EX not only directly addresses these diverse needs but also strengthens an employer’s ability to engage and retain talent from across generations.
How can employers effectively integrate employee wellbeing into their EX and benefit from a healthy, happy workforce?
1. Develop a comprehensive wellbeing strategy
Aim to create a holistic wellbeing strategy that encompasses all areas of health and wellness and meet the specific needs and preferences of your workforce. This could include initiatives such as promoting regular physical activity, offering financial education and ensuring access to health and wellbeing benefits.
2. Employee engagement
Involve employees to ensure their needs and preferences are represented and addressed. Conduct regular wellbeing assessments, surveys and focus groups to gather valuable insights about your workforce and tailor your strategies and benefits offering accordingly.
3. Openly embrace mental health
With almost 50% of our survey respondents rating their mental health as less than good, proactively addressing mental health concerns is a good place to start. Provide access to resources such as employee assistance programmes (EAPs), counselling services and mental health initiatives. If possible, consider moving to a model of mental health support with unlimited sessions to ensure employees can receive a course of treatment that’s tailored to their needs with the appropriate number of sessions to effectively address their issues.
4. Create a culture of wellbeing
Encourage leaders and managers to prioritise their own wellbeing and support their teams in doing the same. Where appropriate, encourage senior leadership to share their own personal experiences, creating a culture of openness and support. Recognising and celebrating achievements related to wellbeing initiatives can inspire continuous improvement and motivate employees to prioritise their own health and happiness.
Prioritising wellbeing goes beyond improvements in healthy initiatives — it's about creating a culture where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive. Integrating wellbeing into the EX ensures comprehensive support across all stages of the employee journey, catering to the diverse needs of the modern workforce.
Investing in wellbeing not only boosts health and happiness but also fuels productivity, fosters innovation, and ultimately drives business success.
Read the full Health, Happiness, and Productivity report.
