Video tutorial: Chris Wakely of Benify on wellbeing learnings from Scandinavia

Sweden, Norway and Denmark have earned a reputation as one of the healthiest regions in the world, thanks the Scandinavian focus on employee health and wellbeing, according to Chris Wakely, executive vice president - global enterprise at Benify.

Speaking at the REBA Employee Wellbeing Congress 2019, he explained how in Scandinavia a health and wellness contribution allows employees to spend a tax-free amount on health and wellness each year.

Although capped at £420 average spend per employee is half that at £210. Wakely said that 90% of companies in Sweden use or take advantage of this arrangement. “If you are not using this you are very much behind the curve.”

He outlined a simple yet successful initiative for one of his customers where the company introduced a scheme that enabled employees who visit a gym three times a week for a year to receive an extra week’s holiday. “They realised time was far more valuable to their employees than money,” he said. The results saw a 30% reduction in absenteeism in the first year. “It’s really, really simple.”

“Scandinavia has many of the challenges that other countries face. But even just their diet and lifestyle, being very outdoor, those things in terms of happiness and health really help,” he said.

This video was recorded at the REBA Employee Wellbeing Congress 2019, held in London on 20 June