Why is there disillusion with wellbeing perks?

Why is there disillusion with wellbeing perks?

When Investors in People (IIP) surveyed more than 1,000 employees and 500 HR decision-makers, they found they rated flexible working hours and a positive workplace culture far above wellbeing perks such as subsidised gym memberships, meditation apps and fruit baskets. 90% said flexibility was the most important factor in determining their sense of wellbeing.

There’s a gap in the perception of the value of wellbeing perks between HR and staff themselves. Only 27% of staff thought schemes like stress management classes and wellness advice apps were useful. Meanwhile, around 72% of HR believed a perk like gym membership was valued, when 59% of staff said they had never even taken up the opportunity.

Treat causes not symptoms

HR need to stop focusing on symptoms, such as stress, and be thinking more in terms of addressing root causes such as excessive workloads, long hours and difficult workplace cultures.

“That’s not to say that the more tangible wellness benefits are pointless – they are still used and valued by many employees,” said Paul Devoy, chief executive of IIP, “but they must be underpinned by a strong culture of wellbeing.”

EAP as early warning system

EAPA UK chair, Karl Bennett said: “The real challenge for HR is understanding the changing landscape of issues and needs across an organisation — where teams are struggling with workload pressures, with questions over management styles, problems with relationships, or escalating worries over finances.

“More and more different wellbeing services clearly haven’t been the answer. A tailored approach, with HR working closely with their EAP provider and accessing its bank of insights to identify real needs can lead to the tangible outcomes needed, lower levels of stress and more engaged and motivated people.”