The concept of employee well-being has transformed significantly over the years. Initially, organisations focused on ensuring physical health and safety through safe work environments and access to basic healthcare. Over time, the focus expanded to mental health, prioritising stress management, work-life balance, and emotional well-being.

Today, organisations are embracing holistic well-being—integrating physical, mental, emotional, and financial health.

“This shift acknowledges that an employee’s overall well-being is influenced by factors both inside and outside the workplace,” explains Subhashini Sriram, Managing Director – Human Resources, Carelon Global Solutions. “It’s essential to introduce programs that make a tangible difference in individuals’ lives.”

She further emphasises the role of leadership in fostering a culture that actively promotes well-being. “To gauge the success of wellbeing initiatives, leaders can rely on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as employee engagement scores, absenteeism and retention rates, program utilisation, adherence to health and safety standards, and feedback mechanisms. This holistic approach is crucial for building a positive, productive, and sustainable workplace.”

Supporting the well-being of diverse employees

“At Carelon, holistic wellbeing is not just for our consumers but also our associates,” says Subhashini. “Our culture is built on four pillars: purpose, growth, belonging, and well-being.”

Since the pandemic, Carelon has taken significant steps to understand the changing needs of employees by establishing a Wellbeing Business Resource Group. This group focuses on enhancing physical, mental, emotional, and psychological health while integrating well-being into every aspect of the organization including flexible work policies, healthy lifestyle options, empathy-driven programs: And personalised well-being initiatives designed to cater to individual needs.

“We view well-being as an organisational priority, and our efforts foster empathy while creating personalized programs that make a difference,” Subhashini notes.

Integrating wellbeing into performance management

To drive successful well-being programs, Subhashini believes organisations must treat well-being as a business priority. “Senior leadership needs to model these behaviours through visible commitment, participation in activities, and integrating well-being goals into their performance metrics,” she explains.

Moreover, developing wellbeing initiatives that cater to a diverse workforce is key to driving engagement. People managers, who serve as the first touchpoint for employees, play a crucial role.

“Managers must be trained on the value of wellbeing, practice mindfulness, and actively encourage their teams to participate in these initiatives,” Subhashini says. “A healthy team builds a healthy business.”

Wellbeing and Gen Z: A new perspective

Generation Z, known for their distinct preferences, places a high priority on workplace experience beyond monetary benefits.

“When it comes to wellbeing, Gen Z expects organisations to focus on mental, physical, financial, and emotional health,” says Subhashini. “Flexible work options, empathetic culture, and awareness programs are essential to meeting their needs. This generation values meaningful gestures and stays loyal to organizations that align with their ideologies.”

Organisations can improve their programs by actively engaging with Gen Z employees. “Robust feedback mechanisms, such as focus group discussions, post-event surveys, and one-on-one manager meetings, can provide actionable insights,” Subhashini advises.

A call to action for the future of wellbeing

To truly build trust, organisations must co-create well-being programs with employees. This approach ensures that initiatives reflect employee expectations, creating a workplace culture where everyone feels supported and valued.

As Subhashini concludes, “Well-being is not just about programs—it’s about embedding empathy, purpose, and flexibility into the fabric of an organisation. This is how we create a healthier, happier workforce and a sustainable business.”