In today’s competitive job market, attracting and retaining top talent goes beyond offering competitive salaries and appealing job roles. With record-low unemployment rates here in New Zealand, forward-thinking businesses have recognised that prioritising their employees’ health and well-being is a key differentiator that sets them apart from standard workplaces. Proactive workplaces that actively support their employees’ health are gaining several significant advantages over their competitors, including:
The Shift Towards Employee-Centric Culture
Modern employees prioritise work-life balance and overall well-being as crucial factors in their job satisfaction. Proactive workplaces that genuinely care about their employees’ health demonstrate an employee-centric culture that fosters loyalty and commitment. By prioritising the health of their workforce, these companies create an environment where employees feel valued and supported, leading to higher levels of engagement and productivity.
According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2020, 91% of employees in workplaces that promote well-being and health reported being motivated to do their best work, compared to only 65% in organisations that did not prioritise employee health.
Attracting Top Talent
Let’s face it: attracting and retaining skilled individuals is a constant challenge for businesses at present, with over half of kiwi businesses interviewed in a survey having a job listing available for over 6 months without filling the gap. This provides an opportunity for proactive workplaces that invest in their employees’ health to stand out as desirable employers, drawing in high-quality talent seeking a supportive and nurturing work environment. Such workplaces can become magnets for ambitious professionals who are looking for opportunities to thrive both personally and professionally – knowing their employer cares about their health through added health initiatives and support
A 2021 study by Glassdoor found that 77% of job seekers consider a company’s culture before applying for a job, with employee health and well-being being a critical aspect of that culture.
Improved Employee Retention
Employee turnover is also a significant cost for businesses, both in terms of recruitment expenses and lost productivity. Proactive workplaces, with their emphasis on employee health, experience higher employee retention rates. When employees feel cared for and supported, they are more likely to stay with the company for longer, reducing turnover and the associated costs.
A study published in the Harvard Business Review in 2019 found that companies with strong health and well-being initiatives experienced a 26% reduction in employee turnover compared to companies that did not prioritise employee health.
Enhanced Productivity and Performance
Healthy employees are more likely to be productive and perform at their best. Proactive workplaces recognise this correlation and actively invest in wellness programs, financial support for healthcare for their employees, and other benefits like flexible work arrangements. These all work together to promote a balanced and high-performing workforce.
A meta-analysis of 42 studies on workplace wellness programs, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in 2019, found that such programs were associated with a significant increase in employee productivity and performance.
Reduced Healthcare Costs
Investing in proactive health initiatives can lead to reduced healthcare costs for employees and their families – an aspect that many kiwi households are currently struggling with given the high cost of living and soaring mortgage rates. By promoting preventive care and healthy lifestyles, proactive workplaces can help to minimise the incidence or severity of chronic illnesses and other health problems which then lowers healthcare costs for their staff – something that is recognised and valued greatly.
How Can Workplaces Be Health-Proactive?
Proactive workplaces have achieved remarkable milestones in recent years by embracing health-centric approaches, including:
- The implementation of comprehensive wellness programs that address physical, mental, and emotional health.
- Adoption of flexible work arrangements and remote work options to promote work-life balance.
- Integration of technology for health tracking, such as wearable devices and health apps, to encourage healthier habits among employees.
- Creation of inclusive and supportive environments that prioritise diversity and mental health.
- Offering access to on-site fitness facilities, healthy snacks, and wellness workshops.
- Investment into employer aid to give their employees access to the health medical services that they not only need, but the proactive services that they want, too.
Make Your Workplace A Health-Proactive Workplace With Employer Aid
Employer aid works by designating a set amount of funds to each employee annually (decided by the employer) that is to be used specifically for health and wellness purposes. Accessing these funds works much in the same way as a digital bank account by your employees, presented as a digital card on your phone, and being accepted at any eftpos terminal where Mastercard is accepted.
As an employer, you can grant access to the entire HealthNow suite of health providers and services – or limit certain services as you see fit. This gives you the confidence of knowing that the funds can only be used for health-related services and appointments while giving your team the control and independence that is appreciated by employees. You even get a breakdown of how the funds were spent overall within a year – meaning that you gain vital information and insight that can help guide future wellness initiatives that will be well received, instead of those that will be left unused and unappreciated. Any funds that are unused within the allocated year are not charged.
The beauty of employer aid payments is that you’re also showing your employees your trust and dedication to their health by enabling them to control how they care for their health. They are free to focus on proactive measures, without being limited to the strict terms and conditions, exclusions, or policies enforced by private health insurance providers that don’t acknowledge a person’s unique circumstances – and typically only cover “reactive” care when they’re already unwell, instead of proactive care that supports them in building and maintaining their health and well-being.
