Employer-Sponsored Wellness Programs Boost Employee Morale

May 17, 2021 - In the midst of  the coronavirus pandemic, with the average employee wellbeing rating at a low, employer-sponsored wellness programs and mental healthcare support is more important than ever, according to an annual study by Alight. 

Alight’s Employee Wellbeing Mindset Study surveyed slightly over 2,500 employees at large companies about their perceptions of their wellbeing across five areas including mental and emotional, social, physical, professional, and financial. The study also drew relationships between employee wellbeing and their experiences with employers. 

Only 40 percent of employees provided positive ratings of their overall wellbeing, but 83 percent agreed that employer-provided wellbeing programs enhance their employment experience. 

For employers who do offer wellbeing programs, 85 percent of employees said that they found these programs easy to access when they needed them. Around the same percentage of employees (84 percent) shared that wellbeing programs made them feel better about their employer.  

Of the employees surveyed, only 38 percent consider their physical wellbeing positive. Some employees reported having difficulty accessing health services, healthy food and clean water, affordable housing, and reliable transportation. Employers are in a position to change this. 

READ MORE: Despite More Symptoms, COVID-Era Mental Healthcare Claims Decrease

The majority of employees (83 percent) who utilized telehealth options available to them through employer-sponsored health plans rated the experience as “excellent/good” and would use telehealth again even without the circumstances of a pandemic. 

This response indicated that employers who have not included telehealth in their plans could benefit their employees by making that change. 

For example, in January 2021, UnitedHealthcare partnered with a national telehealth provider group to expand the payer’s virtual care policy. With this expansion, employers who partner with UnitedHealthcare can improve employees’ access to primary care services through telehealth. 

It is no secret that the pandemic has had adverse effects on many Americans’ mental health. According to Alight’s study, 72 percent of employees reported high or moderate stress levels, and four out of ten indicated that the pandemic caused their emotional and mental wellbeing to decline. 

Employees who were more likely to report that the pandemic had a negative impact on their mental health included females, on-site workers, healthcare industry workers, public sector workers, and retail workers.  

READ MORE: Employer-Sponsored Health Plans See Strong Member Satisfaction

A workplace environment can have a substantial impact on a person’s mental wellbeing. A little more than half (52 percent) of employees said that they would be comfortable reaching out to another employee dealing with an emotional or mental health issue, but only 39 percent indicated that they have a co-worker to whom they can reach out when they feel stressed or worried.  

In the time of COVID-19, employees also looked to their employers for vaccination information and guidance. Of the employees surveyed, 59 percent stated that employers should communicate with employees about what the vaccine is, how to get vaccinated, and why it is important. 

This data can make employers aware of what they can do to further support their employees. 

For instance, in 2020 Independent Health partnered with Horizon Health Services to provide employers with resources to identify mental health conditions in their employees. The materials also sought to help employers navigate conversations with their employees about mental health and wellbeing.  

The training program consisted of several steps that ranged from employers learning about different conditions and realizing their roles in helping employees, to developing effective responses and implementing helpful resources to address employees’ mental health.  

READ MORE: Wellness Programs Are A Win-Win For Cost Saving, Member Outcomes

Employer interventions can come in different forms, including preventive care, collaborative care, and employee assistance programs. 

Preventive care is especially important when it comes to mental healthcare because treating mental health conditions early on can prevent an employee’s condition from escalating into a more serious diagnosis and can create a more comfortable work environment for all.  

The statistics shown in Alight’s survey indicated that employer-sponsored health plans and wellbeing programs can improve the lives of employees. By listening to the mental healthcare needs of their employees, employers can work with payers to develop strong interventions.