Exhaustion, anxiety, and other chronic conditions like depression all have implications on wellbeing, which, in turn, impacts absenteeism, productivity, and retention. Technology can be to blame, but it can also provide solutions.
Looking out for your employees’ mental health is as important as ensuring their physical health is optimal.
Sometimes, these conditions are pre-existing; at other times, they’re either caused by or exacerbated by the workplace. Busy schedules, constant emails, and an ‘always-on’ culture contribute to a type of exhaustion known as burnout. The World Health Organization officially recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon, and it’s on the rise.
Managing Total Worker Health is Easier Than You Think
Health technology is something people already use. Wearable tech, like Fitbits and Apple watches, help us keep a check on our fitness, sleep, and diet—and a growing number of people use online tools to connect with medical professionals.
Technology is giving workers the tools they need to look after themselves. For employers, it’s valuable to be able to better understand and support total worker health, and to be able to put the right tools in place to help both physical and mental wellbeing.
It Offers Highly Personalized Wellbeing
Workplace well-being programs have been known to experience low levels of engagement. This is for all kinds of reasons; from poor tech and rollout to difficult interfaces and irrelevance. Now, employees can enjoy a much better user experience thanks to greater options for personalization.
Employees will only engage with a telehealth program if it’s relevant to their needs. For example, an employee suffering from anxiety may benefit from meditation guides, whereas an employee who sits all day could benefit from a step challenge.
When rolling out workplace wellness technology, ensure it can be tailored to each individual’s needs and goals.
It Gives Employees a Support Network
We feel happier when we know we have people around us who support us. When it comes to workplace healthcare, that could take many forms.
For employers, it’s giving the employee a means of connecting with healthcare professionals and wellbeing coaches as well as ensuring the technology that helps them connect with their peers to share progress and encouragement is also available and easy to use.
Accessibility plays a big part in this. Choose software with a wide range of language options, as well as video content and gamification to keep things fun. The more engaging and collaborative, the better.
It Brings Added Confidentiality
No one likes going to the HR team or employer to chat about their medical issues, especially when the topic concerns their mental health—a subject still considered taboo among many.
According to the UK Guardian, almost 30% of people in a survey of 2,000 people said they would find it difficult to admit to having a mental illness.
"Perhaps it's no surprise that a separate study found fewer than four in 10 employers would feel able to employ someone with a mental health problem," noted the study's authors.
Fear of judgment could prevent someone from seeking help entirely—something that’s been proven to
make mental health worse, especially conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Telehealth offers employees an alternative to face-to-face counseling sessions, with digital resources linking to support groups and confidential helplines. This kind of distance and anonymity between employer and employee could be what gives employees the confidence and peace of mind to seek the help they need.
It Provides Valuable Insights
Health technology makes it easier to collect data over time, which can give employees a broader and more detailed view of their own health. This data can also be used by employers (with the consent of employees) to help companies take a more strategic approach to mental health.
Reassure employees that their data will remain anonymous and secure before collating stats to help identify risks and trends, which could lead to early intervention and a happier workforce.
It is important to support employees mental health and using CoreHealth's Technology is a great way to personalized options that will encourage employee engagement and participation.
About CoreHealth Technologies
CoreHealth Technologies Inc. is a total well-being technology company trusted by global providers to power their health and wellness programs. Our wellness portals help maximize health, engagement and productivity for 3+ million employees worldwide. We believe people are the driving force of organizations and supporting them to make behavior changes to improve employee health is in everyone’s best interest. With the most flexibility, customizations and integrations of any software in its class, CoreHealth’s all-in-one wellness platform helps grow great wellness companies. Simple to sophisticated, based on you. For more information, visit the CoreHealth website or YouTube Channel.
