getty
The healthcare industry is notorious for its ever-rising prices, and the cost of benefits continues to increase each year for employers and employees across the country. To combat this, many business leaders are seeking innovative and cost-effective solutions to support employees’ mental and physical health and overall well-being, especially those who don't report to the office each day.
Below, Forbes Human Resources Council members explore a range of health and wellness programs tailored for the hybrid-remote work era. Their insights can help you nurture a happier and healthier workforce while staying on budget.
1. Solutions Focused On Prevention
Solutions that support preventive health and managing all aspects of well-being are key to reducing healthcare spending. Look for virtual, on-demand solutions that give onsite and remote workers easy access to expert guidance for needs such as mental and physical health, substance use and caregiver burnout—all of which can lead to costly conditions and attrition if not proactively managed. - Michael Held, LifeSpeak Inc.
2. Voluntary Benefits
Voluntary benefits are a cost-effective way to expand benefits programs with well-being options for their workforce. As many of us manage financial stress, benefits can play a role in building a safety net by way of pre-tax contributions to retirement or savings accounts and protecting employees’ paychecks with options like financial coaching, critical illness and disaster insurance. - Marcy Klipfel, Businessolver
3. Health-Promoting Incentives
Employers are exploring initiatives like gym stipends, onsite fitness facilities and classes, steps or exercise challenges, subsidized mediation apps and commuter benefits that encourage biking or walking to work. It is important to talk with your employees about which programs they might actually use. The success of a wellness program is highly dependent on your particular workforce. - Niki Jorgensen, Insperity
4. Proactive Health Programs
I’m a fan of preventative healthcare initiatives that encourage employees to go to their appointments, get their vaccines and monitor their stats over time. Not only does focusing on such initiatives help to prevent long-term health problems in the long term, but they can also become team bonding or celebratory programming that brings hybrid and remote teams together. - Ursula Mead, InHerSight
5. Digital Wellness Benefits
Consider virtual wellness programs (e.g., mindfulness sessions, online fitness classes), digital mental health platforms and subsidies for ergonomic equipment. These initiatives support well-being in the hybrid-remote era while mitigating healthcare costs. - Cally Stanphill, PainTEQ LLC
Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?
6. Inclusive Wellness Workshops
For companies operating in a hybrid model, offering both on-site and virtual wellness workshops can ensure inclusive participation. Topics can range from nutrition and healthy eating to stress management and ergonomics, especially relevant for remote workers. - Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
7. Initiatives To Promote A Digital Detox
The constant barrage of emails, messages and the pressure to be perpetually available blur the lines between professional and personal life, contributing to stress and burnout. Digital detox programs are emerging as a valuable solution to mitigate these impacts, offering strategies to manage digital consumption and reclaim control of a healthier work-life balance. - Katrina Jones, Acacia Network
8. Medical Concierge Benefits
A benefit that we offer is a medical concierge care service, so our employees can easily find providers in their networks. As people are so busy, they may not have time to find the best medical provider for their needs. By offering a service that can help them, they free up personal and work time. The service can also help with cost savings in regards to finding the right provider the first time. - Erin ImHof, CertiK
9. Connection-Driven Programs
As part of Covid-19, organizations learned a lot about the impact of isolation and deterioration of support networks on employee wellness and health. While unconventional, deploying programs that support organic engagement and cultivate relationships has helped support the osmosis of information around benefits while also strengthening support networks and overall employee health and wellness. - Jon Lowe, DailyPay
10. Benefits For Dependents
Consider expanding wellness programs to include dependents. Take one look at your claimant reports and you might be surprised by who is driving your healthcare costs. This insight allows for targeted wellness initiatives that not only improve employee and family health but also manage costs effectively. - Patrick Donegan, SEI
11. Virtual Mental Health And Fitness Services
Some great health and wellness programs are digital fitness subscriptions, online nutrition coaches, virtual mental health support, virtual team building and financial assistance. So many employees feel isolated whether they are remote or hybrid, so employers should consider these programs. Often, we see great rewards with little effort and cost to help reduce the stress for many employees. - Heather Smith, Flimp Communications
12. Initiatives That Promote A Culture Of Holistic Well-Being
Creating a culture of holistic well-being goes far beyond yoga classes, healthy snacks in corporate break rooms and the next online course for personal finances and budgeting. To assist employees with a healthy lifestyle and fulfilled mind at work and home, leadership should focus on creating and sustaining a culture of well-being: be human, act with empathy and model trust. - Laci Loew
