Fresh into 2023, many companies are now evaluating how best to support their employees in the New Year. It’s more important than ever that you pay attention to the needs of your employees and craft ways you can support them in their goals.
From mental to physical health, here are five ways you can continue to support your employees’ well-being.
1. Provide mental health benefits and access
According to Mercer’s Survey on Health and Benefits Strategies for 2023, employers will focus heavily on affordability and access for their 2023 health benefit offerings. And a robust plan should include mental health benefits.
Per American Psychiatric Association, employees living with unresolved depression experience a 35% reduction in productivity in the workplace, contributing to a loss to the U.S. economy of $210.5 billion a year in absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased medical costs.
Providing employees with resources to put their mental health first will increase their productivity in the office and at home, allow them to be more present, and positively impact their future.
2. Encourage physical activity at work
There are plenty of ways to encourage physical activity at work. According to the American Council on Exercise, a protein called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) boosts your cognitive abilities; BDNF is triggered by exercise. Keeping employees moving throughout the workday can enhance their work ethic, making them more productive, and involved in the office.
Promoting activity will look different depending on your office space. Consider constructing an employer-led walking club or allowing employees to customize their schedule to fit in physical activity. We encourage you to take these examples and see how they can help motivate your employees.
3. Offer meal benefits
The building blocks of a healthy lifestyle starts with what we eat. In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to use the drive-through or hit a fast-food joint. Not only is it fast, but it’s cheap.
However, empowering employees to make healthier choices with tools such as meal allowances takes the guesswork out of “what to eat.” Edenred’s Ticket Restaurant is a meal benefits program that gives employees a monthly meal allowance via a prepaid card.
The prepaid card benefits the employee in several ways; it eases the financial burden associated with lunch and empowers employees to make healthy food choices.
4. Encourage micromobility commuting
Micromobility refers to the use of lightweight vehicles such as bicycles and scooters.
Cycling has many benefits for physical and mental health. It keeps you active, alert, and sharp, all of which help to increase productivity in the office. Encouraging employees to bike to work even once or twice a week can have a positive impact.
Biking also helps lower blood pressure and boost energy, and exercise of any kind has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Outdoor exercise also improves mood by releasing endorphins and stimulating neurotransmitters, which control emotional response.
5. Get them excited about benefits
Make sure you plan to communicate with employees about their benefits throughout the year. It is a good opportunity to highlight the special perks your employees are eligible to receive.
Finding ways to make the information readily available will keep your company’s benefits package at the forefront of your employees’ minds. For example, if your company offers internet stipends for remote workers, mention that perk during Zoom meetings regularly. E-newsletters are also a great way to spread the word companywide.
How Edenred can support you while you support them
To give your employees the tools they need to live their best lives in 2023 and beyond, you need the right benefits to support them. Schedule a meeting today so we can discuss the best options for you and your employees.
