One in three adults claims their mental and physical health deteriorated in 2022.* HR professionals are responding by developing effective employee well-being and health strategies. For some ideas from Personnel Today on how to fine-tune yours, please discover the six emerging employee wellbeing trends it names for 2023, as summarised below.
- Managing musculoskeletal health
Remote working – and the impact of unergonomic home offices – has caused a sharp increase in musculoskeletal (MSK), back and neck problems. In response, companies should lend more financial support to employees for their home office furniture and equipment. They need to communicate clearly how employees can access these funds, and share advice on posture and exercise by way of prevention.
- Addressing anxiety created by the cost of living crisis
In the context of spiralling inflation, employees’ stress levels are on the rise. HR can help counter the effects by inviting a financial specialist to educate staff on financial management. It can also get creative with supporting benefits, such as setting up a carpooling service or distributing lunch coupons.
- Offering mental health support ‘off-radar’
Not everyone is comfortable talking about mental health issues. Businesses have a responsibility to offer tailored support to those who may feel uncomfortable asking for it. This could translate to clearly signposting confidential specialist support and self-help platforms available from external providers.
- A focus on prevention
Companies can embrace data-led insights to anticipate health and well-being problems before they strike. By running employee surveys and medical checks, HR can identify employees that are likely to suffer from stress and/or burnout, for example, and discretely suggest personalised preventative actions.
- Leading by example – a work culture shift
Business leaders and managers should lead by example when it comes to cultural change, setting the standard on reasonable working hours and in-office presence, for example. They should also seek regular staff feedback about the challenges they face and promptly implement effective solutions.
- Focusing on the family
As employees continue to place great value on the work/life balance, employers must remain flexible and understanding. This is particularly true as regards the needs of families. Many HR departments are thinking beyond enabling staff to work around their childcare responsibilities to include private medical insurance for family members and parental mental health advice hubs.
Do you agree with the above points? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter. If you need any help on the recruitment side of things, please get in touch. With a vast, constantly-refreshed pool of top talent on our books, we will quickly connect you to best-fit candidates. Please email us at info@ablrecruitment.com or call us on 020 7092 3911 to brainstorm the options.
