Holistic health is an increasingly popular concept in the corporate world as more research piles up concerning the benefits of a whole-person approach. While wellness plans used to primarily focus on healthcare benefits and safe work environments — which matter — they often did not address the bigger picture.

Data shows that Americans are taking more sick days than ever since the pandemic, especially those aged 25 to 34. Since 2019, the average time workers have taken off has increased by 15%. Main reasons for this increased absenteeism are mental health concerns and family responsibilities.

Employees need the tools, services, and resources to address their ongoing health proactively. Physical activity matters, but so does mental and emotional health. Each area of one’s health influences the others. You cannot create a wellness program that ticks all the boxes until you see each employee as a whole, unique person.

As a manager or employer, prioritizing employee mental health and well-being is more important than ever. Here’s why you need to pay attention to and how to take action.

Business and Public Health Intersect

Johns Hopkins published an insightful article highlighting evidence-based practices and strategies to help employers make a difference. Business and public health go together — which is why employers need to understand that they can have a significant impact on the workforce and society as a whole.

Ron Goetzel, director of the school’s Institute for Health and Productivity Studies, focuses on the dynamics between employee health, productivity, and healthcare costs. It is a complex relationship that researchers and policymakers continue to revisit.

As explained by Goetzel, there is a unique collaboration between public health and business. Each day, around 160 million Americans go to work, where they spend most of their time. As an employer, you want your employees to be happy and healthy — after all, that is how you ensure a productive, engaged workplace.

Employees Are Realizing Money Is Not Everything — Wellness Matters

While this connection has long existed, the economy’s labor shortage is forcing businesses to shift their perspectives. Many employers struggle to find and keep top talent, as workers prioritize their health and value as individuals. The employers that thrive are the ones capable of providing a safe workplace where each individual feels valued.

When organizations take strides to improve the well-being of their team members, the results can be significant. Employees who feel cared for and heard are less likely to jump ship after six months, contributing to higher retention rates and greater productivity.

Everyone needs money to survive, but as perceptions shift, many agree that a paycheck is not everything — they need to put their well-being first. Employers that meet them in the middle will be leaders in the ever-evolving corporate wellness initiatives — they can even carve out a competitive edge.

COVID-19 was a significant catalyst in this realization, both for employees and employers. The pandemic made businesses aware of the link between public health, business performance, and the economy. Mental health support has since become more important, as stress, anxiety, and depression have significant effects on workplace performance and productivity.

The most successful organizations will adopt a holistic approach — focusing on a comprehensive wellness program and culture that prioritizes employee health.

The Best Wellness Programs Address the Following

Based on the research conducted at Johns Hopkins, researchers suggest combining three areas to ensure optimal success — psychosocial, organizational, and environmental variables.

Let us break those down.

• Psychosocial includes anything you can control and actively improve, like eating healthier, exercising more, not smoking, drinking less, etc. These factors influence all aspects of your health and must be considered whether your goal is to improve physical or mental health.
• Organizational means a company supports healthier initiatives that help its employees live healthier, more balanced lifestyles. Examples include providing healthy meals in the cafeteria, offering access to local gyms, and access to medications or health-related tools (like glucose testing kits).
• Environmental concerns involve the safety and comfort of your workplace, focusing on protecting employees. Preventing exposure to toxins or unsafe situations is critical, as is providing healthy air, access to water, sufficient lighting, etc.

The CDC created a Worksite Health ScoreCard that is worth exploring. Many don’t realize that you do not need to spend a ton of money to make a difference. Instead, you must invest in the right solutions to achieve an optimal ROI while adjusting internal policies. There are affordable solutions, such as Advanta Health, that help employers seamlessly implement a complete wellness solution that works.

Recommended Next Steps

In response to the compiling research, Johns Hopkins developed recommendations that will help businesses align with public health to drive success and innovation.

These recommendations include:

• “Put out the fire” of COVID-19 by considering the advice provided by credible public health experts. The goal is to implement evidence-based best practices to help stop the spread of COVID. While this concern is fading, it provides a significant realization. Business leaders must communicate and model behaviors that align with what public health experts suggest helping protect employees and the community. Without employees, businesses cannot Now is the time to recognize and appreciate your team — let them know their efforts are noticed.
• Actively improve the well-being of employees by building and maintaining a culture of health. Considering that fewer than one in five employers offers a comprehensive workplace wellness program, there is plenty of room for improvement. Again, a holistic approach matters, as employees require physical and mental support. Business leaders have an opportunity to create a more resilient, robust workforce via strategic wellness solutions.
• Promote healthier communities, as businesses often hold an unrecognized and underutilized power to impact their local communities positively. One way to get involved is to advocate for evidence-based public health policies and solutions. Initiatives you implement in the workplace can also have an impact within the homes of your employees — influencing their loved ones to make actionable changes.

Other recommendations include:

• Become a “force multiplier” via greater collaboration across staff and health departments to prepare for future public health emergencies. When you are making a true impact, it is more likely that the press will recognize you for your genuine efforts and contributions.
• Advocate for the development of dashboards that track and monitor progress. This strategy will help increase accountability and enhance decision-making. This recommendation also helps improve internal processes while contributing to community health targets. The key is to choose the right KPIs to gauge forward progress.

Advanta Health Supports These Findings, Driving Behavioral Changes

Advanta Health is an integrated technology solution that helps organizations achieve the above recommendations. Being a leader in the corporate wellness space means that Advanta understands the value of holistic, comprehensive well-being — and what that means to employees and employers.

By offering an incentive-based reward system, the platform helps drive behavioral changes that contribute to long-term business success. Employees who actively improve their mental and physical health will benefit the organizations they work for and the public health system.

Based on the possibilities and potential health outcomes of a well-defined, health-tech platform like Advanta, you can help drive significant changes that ripple through local, state, and national communities.

Addressing public health issues is a collective responsibility, and you can take action as an employer. As your employees actively improve their well-being, they will contribute to a healthier bottom line — it is a win-win.

Want to learn more about Advanta? Contact us today.