Employee Wellness: Navigating health and wellbeing in the Modern Workplace

In today’s fast-paced business environment, prioritizing employee wellness is not just a trend; it is a necessity. As a Chief People Officer of OUTsurance, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact that mental health and stress management have on both individual employees and company performance. At our company, we understand that a healthy workforce is vital to fostering productivity, engagement, and overall engaging company culture.

Our Wellness Framework

Our commitment to employee wellness is firstly underpinned in our value of HUMAN and secondly anchored in a comprehensive framework that encompasses physical health, mental wellbeing, and cultural (organisational) connection. We have partnered with leading Employee Wellness Program (EWP) provider Lyra to ensure our staff have access to a comprehensive range of essential mental, financial, legal, and physical health resources for when life happens and support is needed. This proactive approach has resulted in a significant uptick in EWP utilisation, demonstrating the importance of easy-to-access support for employees facing challenging situations.

On-Site healthcare and support

We are fortunate to have exceptional on-site healthcare facilities at our main campus, including a dedicated occupational nurse, occupational doctor, physiotherapist, and psychologist. In addition, the opportunity to access health and wellness information and expertise ranging from nutrition to finance is a key part of the offering. This ease of availability of care removes barriers to seeking help and ensures that employees can receive immediate support when they need it most. By investing in these resources, we send a clear message: health matters, and we are here to support you.

Physical health and wellness Initiatives

Understanding the connection between physical and mental health, we also promote OUTies having an active lifestyle through sports and recreational activities. Our on-site facilities for netball, volleyball, action cricket, aerobics, yoga, and soccer to name a few, coupled with an enthusiastic sports committee, foster camaraderie, and teamwork among employees. Physical activity not only boosts endorphins but also creates an inclusive environment where employees can connect and unwind together, reducing stress levels. These are all encapsulated in a campaign called OUTlive.

Building a connected and supportive people culture

Relationships matter in the health equation and considering the amount of time we spend at work workplace relations are most important. Within an organisation that has HUMAN as a value, such connections are critical for a supportive culture that enhances humanity. As a result, we recognise that wellness extends beyond physical and mental health services. Building a strong culture of support, fun and connection within our workforce is essential.

Effective communication, a culture of regular team/department and organisational building, onsite health and wellness days, employee driven open forums focused on diversity and inclusion all foster a dynamic and connected workplace and help create an environment where all employees feel valued and heard. Connections with colleagues in turn enhances the connectedness employees feel towards the organisation. This HUMAN value and cultural foundation is crucial for reducing stigma around health broadly and mental health specifically and encourage employees to seek support when needed.

The Role of HR in Employee Wellness

As HR professionals, we play a pivotal role in championing employee wellness initiatives however the accountability for positive health and wellness outcomes is not the sole responsibility of HR. Employees and leaders across the business must be part of the wellness equation. HR must nonetheless advocate for mental health strategies that resonate with our employees and leaders, ensuring that employees know they are not alone in their struggles. Utilising our framework as vital tool equips us to address workplace issues effectively, fostering a supportive environment where employees can thrive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating health and stress in the modern workplace requires a multifaceted approach. By combining accessible healthcare, physical wellness initiatives, and a culture of support and connectedness, we can create an environment that prioritizes employee wellbeing. Let’s continue to champion health awareness and foster a workplace where everyone feels empowered to seek help and support.

I invite my fellow leaders and HR professionals to reflect on their own wellness initiatives and consider how we can collectively enhance our approaches to employee health and wellness.

Together, we can make a difference.