Organizations have long been defined by what they provide to consumers. Today, they’re also evaluated based on what they do for their employees. How companies treat their workers can impact their ability to recruit new talent and broader public perception.
There are several reasons for this evolution. The pandemic accelerated remote and hybrid workforces, driving job seekers to reconsider what they value most. There’s also been a growing emphasis on caring for employees’ mental health to manage stress, anxiety, and burnout.
It’s more critical now than ever for employees to have the time and resources to care for their physical and mental health. According to recent research, 60 percent of employees would prefer a five-day work week with the ability to work remotely whenever they choose, instead of a week consisting of four in-office days.
So in this competitive labor market, how can your organization stand out to recruit top talent?
How employee health and wellbeing can be the solution to HR challengesLearn how supporting employee health and wellbeing can help employers solve common HR challenges including recruitment, absenteeism, productivity, and retention. |
Since the “Great Resignation”, more than 30 percent of workers in the United States have voluntarily left their positions each year. While some employees do so in search of more compensation, others are leaving in search of greater wellbeing and work-life balance benefits. In 2023, for example, the American Psychological Association found that 92 percent of surveyed workers noted the importance of working for an organization that valued their emotional and psychological wellbeing.
With so many employees willing to change jobs for increased wellbeing benefits, it’s essential for employers to establish a healthy culture. The programs and initiatives designed to support this may differ between organizations, but there are fundamental pillars that will remain constant, including the flexibility to ensure an adequate work/life balance, consulting with employees about wellbeing strategies to foster a sense of ownership and personalization, and encouraging workplace socialization. Ultimately, it’s not just about creating healthy habits — it’s about maintaining and supporting them with the right benefits.
WTW’s 2022 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey reports that 34 percent of employees who remained with their current organization did so because of the benefits offered, and for 48 percent of employees, the benefits were a major factor in why they joined — a 16 percent jump from 2010. Another survey identifies healthcare benefits as being so important that 46 percent of employees said they’d prefer better benefits to a raise.
It’s a sentiment that employers are increasingly aware of. In 2023, a survey found that 60 percent of employers recognized that it’s somewhat or very likely that their employees will expect a wider variety of benefits options in the future. Knowing this, it’s clear that the benefits package can make or break an organization in the eyes of its present and future employees.
Supporting a healthier culture is one of the goals of TELUS Health Wellbeing. This workforce wellness platform is designed to help employees improve their mental and physical health by enabling them to develop and maintain lifestyle habits that maximize their wellbeing.
What should a good benefits plan include? For 72 percent of employees, the most important inclusion is medical benefits. Meanwhile, 68 percent of employers believe employer-covered healthcare to be the most important benefit.
Research from Fractl finds that perks like flexible hours and remote work are also high on the list. This makes sense, as having healthcare also means having the time to access it, as well as the ability to take time off to rest and recover.
It’s why TELUS Health Telemedicine can be such an effective solution for organizations, employees, and job seekers looking for supportive health and wellbeing services. Not only does it offer quality, on-demand care through telemedicine and access to clinicians who can provide expertise and referrals to specialists, but it can also be complemented by digital mental health services such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This is crucial: according to a 2023 study by the American Psychological Association, respondents noted it was very (52 percent) or somewhat (40 percent) important to work for an organization that provides support for employee mental health.
When job seekers look for flexibility, it’s not just in terms of their schedules — but also what they do with their benefits. Choice, optionality, and generational differences are crucial here, as people want to decide which services to access based on their needs, lifestyle, and goals.
TELUS Total Mental Health delivers a holistic approach to mental health support through care navigators who can assist plan members by developing personalized care plans, making appointments with counselors, guiding them to resources within their employer’s benefits package, and following up with the employee throughout their wellbeing journey. Care navigators can even connect employees to work/life resources, such as financial or legal services, to help support themselves and their families.
Each year, workers with fair or poor mental health are estimated to miss almost 10 more working days than their counterparts, costing the US economy nearly $48 million in lost productivity. This demonstrates the importance of investing in benefits and providing well-balanced compensation packages. Workforce wellbeing makes a fantastic recruitment strategy, and employers who offer salary and health benefits, freedom and flexibility, and customizable choices, are well-positioned to attract top talent.
Learn more about how TELUS Health can help drive recruitment and retention for your organization here.