Written by MixCare Health Team —
In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, it has become crucial for organisations to prioritise employee wellness.
A wellness strategy is a comprehensive plan designed to improve and maintain health and wellbeing across various dimensions of an individual’s life, or within an organisation. A well-designed strategy can encompass various dimensions of wellness, including social, emotional, physical, financial, and mental wellbeing, offering services as varied as dietary advice, tumor markers screening, or sound bath therapy to treat anxiety and stress.
By implementing a comprehensive wellness programme, companies can create a supportive and thriving work environment that benefits both employees and the organization as a whole.
Why is a Wellness Strategy Important?
- Improved Employee Health and Productivity: According to Mercer Marsh’s Benefits Technology 2023 report, employees with access to benefits technology are more likely to feel their benefits meet their needs (78%), believe their employer cares about their wellbeing (82%), and report that they are thriving in their roles (80%). A wellness strategy that addresses physical health, mental wellbeing, and work-life balance can lead to reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and higher employee engagement.
- Cost Savings: Poor workplace wellness can result in increased healthcare costs and decreased productivity. Focusing on preventive health care not only nurtures a healthier workforce but can also lead to a decrease in medical claims, which can in turn keep insurance premiums from rising steeply.The equation is straightforward: healthier employees tend to use fewer healthcare services, which translates into cost savings for their employers. This strategic focus on health can create a positive cycle of well-being in the workplace, resulting in a more sustainable and cost-effective business model.
- Enhanced Employee Retention and Recruitment: A strong wellness strategy can be a valuable tool for attracting and retaining top talent. In a competitive job market, employees are increasingly seeking employers who prioritise their wellbeing. According to the Mercer Health on Demand 2023 report which surveyed over 17,000 employees, a robust selection of health and wellbeing benefits is linked to employee loyalty. The study found that 54% of employees with access to 10 or more wellness benefits were less likely to seek employment elsewhere, compared to only 36% of those with access to between one and four benefits. By offering comprehensive wellness programmes, organisations can differentiate themselves and create a positive employer brand
When to Start Building Your Wellness Programme?
It is never too early to start building a wellness programme. Whether you are a small startup or an established company, investing in employee wellness should be a priority. By taking proactive measures to promote wellness from the beginning, organisations can foster a culture of well-being and prevent health issues before they arise.
Consider long-term return on investment (ROI) when crafting your wellness strategy. A scalable programme not only supports immediate employee health and satisfaction but can also help to reduce long-term healthcare costs and enhance overall productivity.
Top Things to Consider:
- Assess What is Required: Conduct a thorough assessment of your employees’ wellness needs and preferences. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, or consultations with wellness experts. An impactful wellness employee benefit programme may include comprehensive medical coverage, individual health screenings, vaccinations, and partnerships with local health providers. It should also offer personalised wellness services and a flexible spending account to give employees autonomy over their health choices, ensuring a programme that’s both relevant and adaptable to individual needs. In 2023, when Hong Kong was being impacted by the flu season and COVID-19, integrated telecommunications business HKBN partnered with health and beauty retailer Mannings to offer free pharmacist consultation services for HKBN employees, an offering that was incredibly timely given the external environment and which eased the burden for busy professionals.
- Create a Wellness Committee: Establish a dedicated wellness committee comprising representatives from different departments. This committee can provide valuable insights, coordinate wellness initiatives, and ensure employee engagement throughout the process.
- Formulate Wellness Vision and Goals: Clearly define the vision and goals of your wellness strategy. This will serve as a guiding framework for designing and implementing wellness initiatives. Align the goals with the organisation’s overall mission and values.
- Scope and Resources: Determine the scope of your wellness programme and allocate appropriate resources. Consider the budget, time, and personnel required to implement and sustain the programme effectively.
- Partnerships and Vendors: Collaborate with external partners and vendors who specialise in wellness services. These partnerships can provide access to expertise, resources, and innovative wellness solutions that align with your organisation’s goals. To achieve a scalable and effective wellness programme, partnering with the right wellness provider is essential. The ideal partner will offer a range of plans and options to suit your current needs while also having the capability to grow with you. Select a partner who understands your vision for a healthy workplace and can provide localised, evidence-based solutions that deliver real, measurable impact.
- Data Privacy: Ensure that employee privacy and confidentiality are maintained throughout the wellness programme. Establish clear guidelines for health data collection, storage, and usage to protect employee information.
- Build into your culture: By including wellness activities in the employee engagement calendar, companies can encourage greater participation by making access part of the working day. A great example is Hong Kong’s digital technology hub Cyberport, which holds Wellness Wednesday events for its talents, including massage workshops and talks on nutrition.
- Evaluation and Feedback: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your wellness programme and gather feedback from employees. Use this information to make necessary adjustments and improvements to ensure the programme remains relevant and impactful.
In just three years, the MixCare Health platform has grown to serve a potential audience of more than 100,000 end-users via 25 clients and partners, offering more than 4,000 individual health and wellness services.
Learn more about how MixCare Health can support your organisation’s employee benefit programmes here.
