{"id":5241,"date":"2024-07-12T08:07:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T08:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/?post_type=resources&p=5241"},"modified":"2026-02-16T06:48:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T11:48:28","slug":"improving-employee-wellbeing","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/total-rewards\/employee-benefits\/improving-employee-wellbeing\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving employee wellbeing in the new era of work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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by Natasha Wiebusch<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Employee wellbeing in the workplace is suffering on a global level. According to the 2023-2024 UN Human Development Report, the number of people feeling stress, anxiety, sadness, anger or worry has reached a 10-year high. And data from Gallup’s latest workplace research found that wellbeing and employee engagement both dropped in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though investments have increased, employees are facing new challenges in this new era of work<\/a>. To make gains on wellbeing today, employers need a fresh perspective and new strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fresh perspective on employee wellbeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, employee wellbeing consisted of health insurance, employee assistance programs and other “health perks.” Beyond mental and physical health benefits, however, employees were pretty much on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much has changed. Today, leading wellness experts are taking a fresh, holistic perspective on wellbeing. From this perspective, wellbeing is the overall social, financial, emotional and physical health of an employee. It considers the impact of an employee’s career, community, environment and more on their health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help frame holistic wellbeing, many organizations have created frameworks. Gallup, for example, established five elements for modern employee wellbeing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Five elements of employee wellbeing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Career<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Community<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Financial<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Social<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Physical<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Each of these elements represents a dimension of the employee’s health, which employers can influence. You might say that this approach to wellbeing sees employees “in 3D.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The benefits of holistic employee wellbeing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Holistic wellbeing, has many benefits. Unlike traditional wellbeing programming, holistic wellbeing is employee-centric. It works to create comprehensive programs that address individual employee needs. In doing so, it better equips organizations to support every employee, including those with unique life circumstances and career aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Holistic wellbeing also supports better performance at work. According to Mckinsey Health Institute<\/a>, employees with higher holistic health, are more innovative and perform better in the workplace.
    Finally, a holistic approach can help leaders address the new challenges affecting employee wellbeing\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    New era, new challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    From the pandemic and remote work, to inflation and economic uncertainty, employees have been on quite the roller coaster. Many of these disruptions have led to permanent changes and presented new challenges to employee wellbeing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Flexibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    One of the more prominent changes to work is the availability and approach to workplace flexibility. Since the pandemic – which created the largest remote workforce we’ve ever seen – workplace flexibility has become the norm. And employers quickly saw the benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Recent research, however, is exposing the potential damage flexibility can do to wellbeing. For example, Gallup’s 2023 global workforce report<\/a> found that increased flexibility is associated with declining wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On the other hand, a review of research<\/a> studying workplace flexibility and wellbeing revealed mixed outcomes. While some found that flexible work, particularly remote work, had a negative impact on employee wellbeing, such as loneliness and poor physical health, others highlighted its benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ultimately, research is finding that flexibility may not always have positive wellbeing results. However, increased flexibility remains a top priority for employees and job seekers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cost of living<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    From 2021 to 2022, the US saw the highest inflation rates since the 1980s. This not only caused global concern, but it also contributed to employee financial stress. Employees saw their raises become irrelevant as the cost of living surged month over month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And though inflation has since declined, reports show that wages still aren’t keeping up with the cost of living<\/a>. This reality has become a significant challenge for both employees and employers. Employee financial stress and concerns are on the rise<\/a>. On the employer end, over a third feel salary expectations are straining the bottom line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Uncertainty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Increasing feelings of uncertainty are causing damage to employee mental health. Whether it’s financial health worries, job security or surprises at work, employees are feeling the pressure. According to Dr. Julia DiGangi<\/a>, these feelings of uncertainty ultimately lead to employee burnout. Unfortunately, burnout rates are at their highest in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One particularly new feeling of uncertainty that is harming employee mental health is related to AI disruption. Beyond worrying about their job security, employees are feeling the stress of adjusting to AI’s presence at work. They need to learn new systems, skills and practices, which is increasing stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    See our extensive HR resources and expertise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In an ever-changing regulatory environment, we have everything you need to stay in control and compliant. The HR & Compliance Center is now available with our user-friendly generative AI chat capability, AI Assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Strategies for improving employee wellbeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    To make a positive impact on overall wellbeing, employers need strategies that address the new challenges of today’s workplace. The following are five strategies to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Recognize the pivotal role of management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Employees who work for organizations with poor management practices are almost 60% more likely to be stressed than those who work for organizations with good management practices. This statistic from the Gallup workforce report is not only staggering, but also telling. First, it shows just how much influence managers have over how team members feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    “Employees who work for organizations with poor management practices are almost 60% more likely to be stressed than those who work for organizations with good management practices.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    It also shows that to improve employee wellbeing, employers can’t rely solely on wellbeing benefits and programming. They need to make systematic changes to improve management and workplace culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When reviewing your wellbeing strategy, consider your management practices. This may involve reviewing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n