In our previous articles we discussed the eight steps to create a workplace wellbeing programme and how to assess your current workplace wellbeing. Now we take a closer look at how you can focus your total wellbeing efforts to identify the gaps in your current offering to implement additional strategies.
As you plan where to focus your wellbeing efforts, consider that some efforts may have greater impact than others – think ‘prevention is better than a cure’. Change your approach from the security of protection alone to prevention; and investing in educating and engaging your employees.
But what do we mean by this?
Prevention – identify potential problems and take action to stop issues arising.
Intervention – take prompt action to prevent problems affecting employees and your business.
Protection – put adequate policies in place to support your staff as quickly as possible and understand exactly what is included and make this available to them.
Consider three key areas when establishing your objectives and what you want for your employees:
- Keeping your employees healthy
- Planning for the future
- Managing your rewards packages
There are many products and services that you can implement to help achieve your objectives; there are even some free services that you and your staff can access.
Not all absences can be avoided, but early intervention can limit the impact to your employees and your business. It may also help prevent them turning into long-term absences and lengthy protection claims. For example:
- services such as virtual GPs can help get your staff access to a quick diagnosis,
- health cash plans can help fund early intervention for a range of day to day treatments from health professionals, including, but not limited to consultants, dentists, opticians and physiotherapists, and
- private medical insurance can provide immediate access to private consultations, diagnosis and if required treatment for acute medical conditions.
Supporting your staff back to work is also crucial so they can be present at work and well.
- Employee assistance programmes can deliver support to help maintain the emotional, financial and physical wellbeing of your employees, providing a qualified counselling service.
- Occupational health services can put in place the appropriate services, controls and measures to help rehabilitate your staff and get them back to work in a suitable role as quickly as possible.
- Critical illness cover may provide financial support to an employee to ease the financial burden placed of them and their family, so they can focus on getting well.
- Plus, many group income protection products also offer early intervention services and rehabilitation support, as well as providing an income if your staff are off sick.
For more in-depth guidance on how to create a workplace wellbeing strategy, including examples of products and services that you could implement within your wellbeing strategy, download our employers guide today, or speak to our experts.
This article first appeared on jelf.com.
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