Talent and recruitment firm The Adecco Group ensures that male and female staff receive equal health outcomes by positioning itself as a supportive and committed employer.
The group employs 39,000 employees across 60 countries. Its benefits that support physical and mental health include private medical cover once employees have completed their probationary period, as well as access to a wellbeing centre, discounts across many UK retailers, gym exercises, meditation tools and articles to help them live a healthier life.
It also has a partnership with Able Futures, which supports people living and working with mental health difficulties, and has trained mental health first aiders across the business. Through an employee assistance programme, employees can get in touch with counsellors, medical and legal experts.
The firm understands that different people have varying needs, so it constantly looks at diversity and engagement data to make informed decisions, explains Jonny Nicholls, vice president of HR at The Adecco Group.
“It means we can pivot and adjust provision as needed, and ensure no group or community is left behind," he says. "We recently identified that male staff were scoring lower than females in all key areas in health and wellbeing, especially when asked about their mental health. As a result, we’ve developed a programme called ‘Male Mental Health and You’ with men’s coach and TedX speaker, Ryan Parke. It centres on science-based, practical strategies for self-improvement that directly tap into the male hormone system, and can be used personally or to support the men in employees’ lives.”
As the majority of Adecco’s workforce in the UK and Ireland is female, ensuring that it avoids female employees disproportionately receiving poorer health outcomes than men has always been a priority. As well as counting government menopause champion, Helen Tomlinson, head of talent UK and Ireland, among its staff, the organisation created an extensive women’s health strategy by holding virtual sessions and workshops and developing a network group and resources. By creating a safe space, the group was able to discuss women’s health, including menstruation, hormones variation, fertility and pregnancy loss, and create a menopause policy.
Adecco believes that to enhance women’s health strategies, employers should consider initiatives such as offering free period products and hosting allyship sessions for men, as these can help foster cultural change and inclusivity.
“Women’s health significantly impacts engagement and representation, making it a priority for all businesses,” says Nicholls. “Investing in education, promoting allyship, valuing lived experiences, and securing leadership support promotes equity. By implementing progressive equality, diversity and inclusion strategies, inclusive hiring practices, and tapping into diverse talent pools, employers can build more diverse and equitable workforces. Engaging in open conversations to understand needs is crucial.”
