Employee wellbeing is a modern priority. Key players across multiple sectors now recognise that the mental, physical, and financial health of their workforce is crucial to maintaining productivity, morale, and job satisfaction. In turn, this promotes high retention.
This year, several new methods have been proven to meet and exceed employee health needs. Below are some of the most tried and tested wellbeing initiatives, frequently proven by businesses across the UK.
Prioritised mental health support
In 2024, businesses continue to invest heavily in mental health resources.
Thanks to greater awareness, there’s a wider understanding that work-related stress and anxiety can cause burnout. Consequentially, this impacts the success of both individual employees and their organisations.
Many businesses offer comprehensive mental health support through Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), which may include access to on-demand counselling services and subsidised therapy.
In addition, companies frequently run mental health awareness training for team leaders to help identify early signs of stress and foster a culture of openness about mental health. It’s worth having a Mental Health First Aider in every team.
Financial wellbeing programmes
Money worries negatively affect employee wellbeing. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many businesses now offer financial wellbeing services aimed at helping their employees manage their money.
From financial literacy workshops to specialised financial planning tools, these initiatives are wide-ranging and often take an interactive format. In some cases, companies provide tailored advice on budgeting, saving, and managing debts.
By addressing financial anxiety, employers create a more focused and productive workforce. For employees who might be struggling with their money, debt counselling and salary advance schemes can alleviate stress and build trust.
Flexible and hybrid work models
Despite a downward trend in remote working patterns, many employees still prioritise a healthier work-life balance.
In response, businesses are frequently offering their employees the option to work remotely part-time or adjust their working hours. This flexibility allows employees to better balance their lives, which helps to reduce stress and increase overall productivity.
Hybrid models allow employees to maintain the social side of office attendance, all while enjoying the autonomy of remote work. This blend shows promise to improve job satisfaction and mental health.
Tailored initiatives
Personalised wellbeing initiatives are another key trend in 2024. Using health data collected through surveys, wearable technologies and in-house systems, businesses now create targeted wellbeing programmes.
Managers can refer to a specialised HR system to collate and review employee wellbeing data. With identified trends, it’s possible to more accurately suggest the correct initiatives for each staff member.
These may include personalised fitness plans, mental health resources tailored to individual needs, or even nutrition and sleep improvement tools. With a data-driven approach, companies become more proactive and timelier in addressing employee wellbeing.
Overview
By prioritising mental health support, businesses are building a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce.
These initiatives not only benefit employees but also contribute to better performance and long-term success. Through dramatic shifts in the commercial climate, employee wellbeing remains at the forefront of forward-thinking business strategies.