We all know by now that mental health will be a key focus point for employee wellness programs for years to come. What we need to explore next is what specific benefits can have a positive impact on mental health for a global workforce that looks much different in a post-COVID world.

The corporate world moves to flexibility, connections

A comprehensive November 2020 JLL study revealed that, while 75 percent of new remote workers expect some level of flexibility in their work location choices and work schedules, 80 percent of high performers also miss collaboration. Flex jobs with at least partial remote work options may be the wave of the future, but human connection is a must for all team members to maintain productivity and mental health.

With that in mind, many companies now see the importance of delivering a work experience for employees rather than just an office space. More than half of all workers surveyed by JLL reported some anxiety about the future, coupled with a paradigm shift away from high salaries in favor of careers that allow flexibility, time with family, and healthy attention to work-life balance. Three-quarters of employees expect employers to support those needs with wellness benefits that reflect their new priorities and work life realities.

The changing shape of wellness benefits

With employees increasingly focusing on living well in their home environments and committing to family, trends are emerging that are making HR benefits professionals rethink the value of wellness benefits.

The top 6 workforce wellness program trends we are beginning to see include:

Flexible working hours and location

The global workforce has proven that working from home is a viable option, and 75 percent of high performers expect to continue remote work at least two days a week. A four-day work week and even outcomes-based work expectations (rather than hours-based) appear to be options that are growing in popularity.

Broad-spectrum wellness support

Employee assistance programs are more important than ever, but mental health services are also shifting to a whole-person model. Moving forward, 3 out of 4 employees expect their companies to support overall health, well-being, and nutrition as a matter of course.

Portable benefits for remote workers

As workers in a hybrid model spend more time close to home, they want to have benefits that apply where they live. Expect HR benefits such as fitness center memberships, food delivery, and medical support to become more portable so employees can choose where to use them.

Parenting/caretaker benefits

Many companies are recognizing that their employees are also caring for small children, parents, or special needs family members while working from home. This has led to an effort to provide more flexible family leave options.

Employee-led wellness and engagement efforts

Companies with years of experience in remote work, such as Dell, have been incorporating the suggestions of employee committees to organize events that foster connection and engagement. Expect that model to become prevalent as more employers move to flex work in the next year.

Assessment tools to gauge needs

Population needs surveys have become more prevalent as HR teams struggle to provide the benefits and services employees want. It’s a tool that has always made sense in the wellness program development process, and now it’s an indispensable window into the lives and needs of remote/flex employees.

Aquila has led the wellness industry into 2021 with innovative solutions and recommendations for corporate wellness programming. Our expert consultants follow workforce trends closely, building and managing population-specific solutions for public and private organizations for the last 25 years. Learn more about what Aquila can do to bring your corporate wellness program into the new post-COVID world by contacting us at info@aquilaltd.com.