To explore how the focus on employee wellness has grown in the past year and the opportunities that 2024, we  talk to Satish Kannan CEO and Co-founder of Medibuddy. With decades of experience under his belt, Satish helps contextualise wellness benefits and shares how his company helping HR leaders to raise the effectiveness of wellness initiatives and its key role in attracting and retaining employees

Below are a few exerpts from the conversation.

1. What have been some important well-being trends to emerge in 2023?

The business environment post 2020, has witnessed a paradigm shift. The concept of employee health and wellness has garnered increasing attention. The recognition that a healthy and engaged workforce is pivotal to organisational success has become a central tenet of modern business strategies. Employers now acknowledge the profound impact that employee well-being has on productivity, job satisfaction, and overall company performance.

2023 saw a growing emphasis on employee well-being, with several trends emerging. The trends reflect a deeper understanding of the importance of holistic well-being and the need to address mental and physical health. Below are some pivotal trends that garnered prominence throughout the year:

• Imperativeness of Mental Health: Mental health has taken centre stage in 2023, with organisations acknowledging its profound effect on employee productivity and overall well-being. Initiatives such as mindfulness training, stress management programs, and access to mental health counseling services are becoming increasingly prevalent, which are all geared toward fostering a supportive workplace environment.
• Tailored Corporate Wellness Initiatives: Companies are increasingly prioritising tailor-made wellness programs for employees, acknowledging the profound impact of well-being on productivity and organisational success. Departing from one-size-fits-all approaches, these initiatives are designed to cater to the specific needs and preferences of a diverse workforce.
• Advantages of Preventive Healthcare: The shift towards preventive healthcare is marked by an understanding that averting health issues before they escalate not only enhances individual quality of life but also contributes to the sustainability of healthcare systems. By prioritising preventive healthcare, individuals can often identify potential health risks at an early stage, allowing for timely and more cost-effective interventions.
• Holistic Integration of Wellness Programs: Wellness programs have extended beyond physical fitness and nutrition, encompassing more comprehensive activities and initiatives. This broader approach aims to promote holistic well-being and includes practices such as mindfulness and opportunities for social connection.
• Initiatives Fostering Financial Well-being: The strain of financial stress can affect one's overall well-being. Several companies are introducing programs designed to assist employees in handling their finances, offering education on budgeting, saving, and investing. Furthermore, the inclusion of parents for In-Patient Department (IPD) coverage incurs significant expenses for organisations. For those unable to bear this cost, a viable solution would be to extend the coverage to include parents within the Out-Patient Department (OPD) package provided by the corporation. This adjustment can be achieved through optimising the existing offerings without necessitating additional budget allocations.

2. Looking ahead to 2024, what are some crucial aspects of employee well-being that HR leaders need to address?

As 2024 approaches, HR leaders need to persist in their commitment to prioritising comprehensive employee well-being and proactively addressing emerging trends and challenges. Organisations should extend their focus beyond conventional wellness programs, adopting a holistic approach that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, financial, and social aspects. This expanded perspective entails incorporating mindfulness practices, robust stress management initiatives, and financial counselling alongside opportunities for social connection. Recognizing the profound impact of mental health on productivity and overall well-being, organisations must sustain efforts to prioritise mental health support, investing in counselling services, mindfulness training, and stress management programs.

Employee health and wellness (H&W) is crucial because it directly influences the overall performance, productivity, and resilience of a workforce. A robust H&W program not only enhances the physical well-being of employees but also addresses their mental and emotional health, creating a holistic approach to workplace well-being. By prioritising health, organisations foster a positive work environment that boosts morale, reduces absenteeism, and increases employee engagement.

Moreover, a focus on wellness contributes to talent retention and attraction, as employees increasingly seek workplaces that prioritise their overall well-being. Beyond the immediate benefits to individuals, a healthy and engaged workforce forms the foundation of a thriving and sustainable organisation, capable of navigating challenges and adapting to evolving workplace dynamics. As the business landscape continues to change, the strategic importance of employee health and wellness remains integral to organisational success and longevity.

Prioritising work-life balance ensures that employees can manage professional responsibilities without compromising their personal lives, fostering a healthier and more sustainable work environment. Workplace safety and well-being initiatives contribute to creating a secure atmosphere, emphasising physical health and reducing stressors associated with potential hazards.

3. How is MediBuddy focusing on enhancing employee well-being and providing real-time, impactful care? What are some innovations in store?

At MediBuddy, we embrace a role beyond conventional healthcare; we are your trusted companion on your well-being journey. Understanding the evolving priorities of  employees, we prioritise health and wellness, going above and beyond to offer personalised and flexible wellness plans.

As a dedicated caregiver, we stand alongside our employees and our customers' employees, ensuring that their well-being is at the heart of everything we do. Our unique offerings are:

• Wallet based wellness solutions: Wallet benefits can be extended to parents and other family members seamlessly . Currently it's  difficult and  costly to add parents in In-Patient Department (IPD) but easier to  add them in Out-Patient Department (OPD) to ensure Flexible  online access to Medicine Delivery, Doctor Consults, Health Checkups, Wellness programs, Chronic treatment therapies, and Rehabilitation support.
• Avenues for proactive engagement: Proactive engagement in healthcare has been revolutionised through innovative avenues, and a digital healthcare platform like MediBuddy stands at the forefront of this transformation. By harnessing the power of technology, MediBuddy ensures proactive engagement with every patient, offering a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance the well-being and promote healthy lifestyles through- Wellness-centric campaigns, Monthly newsletters, Webinars, Gamification
• Back to work strategy: We have observed that organisations today are facing a resistance towards return to office from employees. Our MediBuddy Wellness study specifically delves into the age group under 35, characterised by the highest headcount, attrition rates, and surprisingly low utilisation of corporate healthcare benefits. To overcome this challenge and encourage a return to the workplace, organisations must prioritise human interaction as a central strategy.
  
  Taking cues from successful implementations, such as that of TCS, which organised health checkup benefits for employees upon their return to the office, companies can effectively address the concerns of this demographic. TCS reported a significant impact, with a 25% uptake in employees participating in ongoing on-site health camps. This holistic approach not only facilitates a seamless transition back to work but also fosters resilience, engagement, and a positive workplace experience.
• Digitalise your health and wellness strategy: Embracing a cashless system, is a transformative step towards efficiency and employee satisfaction. Traditional reimbursement processes are often burdensome, time-consuming, and mired in endless paperwork. In contrast, adopting a cashless approach streamlines the entire reimbursement experience, offering a quick, easy, and hassle-free solution. This not only enhances the overall employee experience but also reflects a commitment to leveraging technology for a more seamless and modernised approach to health and wellness benefits.

4. How should well-being today be part of larger employee conversations like engagement and retention? In your experience how have you seen companies benefit from a robust, digitally aligned well-being strategy?

A cohesive wellness strategy can benefit both staff members and the entire organisation. When companies offer initiatives or systems dedicated to the physical and mental wellness of their employees, it could result in enhanced productivity  This, in turn, fosters a favourable work environment, cultivating a sense of care and empathy  among employees, where they believe that the organisation cares for them.
 
Further, digitally-aligned plans have added benefits in collecting data-driven insights. Analysing this data provides insights into the specific needs and preferences of employees, which can be tapped into for better patient outcomes. For instance, in navigating the evolving landscape of employee well-being, companies have recognised the unique needs and preferences of their millennial workforce. By strategically aligning its well-being strategy with digital solutions, companies can see a profound impact on the health and satisfaction of their employees. Surveys could help in better understanding what employees want to arrive at a strategic decision.

5. What are some shifts in employee preferences today that reflect how you look at enhancing MediBuddy’s impact on employee well-being?

Employee preferences are shifting in today's workplace, reflecting a growing emphasis on holistic well-being and a desire for more flexibility and personalisation. These shifts align with MediBuddy's mission to enhance employee well-being and provide comprehensive healthcare solutions. Here are some specific shifts in employee preferences that MediBuddy can address. 

• Providing apps and tools promoting mindful technology usage, fostering a healthier relationship with digital devices.Integration of features like screen-time tracking and mindful notifications in the workplace wellness app.
• Millennials appreciate wellness programs that embrace cultural diversity and inclusivity. Ensuring that well-being resources and initiatives cater to various cultural backgrounds, acknowledging the importance of diversity in holistic health.
• Understanding the importance of ergonomics for ageing individuals, facilitating ergonomic workspace adjustments. Offering ergonomic assessments and adjustments to workstations to enhance comfort and reduce physical strain.
• Acknowledging the diverse financial situations of employees, there is a rising preference for flexible healthcare spending options. Employees seek platforms that allow them to allocate their well-being budgets according to their health needs
• Employee preferences are expanding to include the well-being of their families. Offering family-centric health plans, paediatric telehealth consultations, and collaborative well-being challenges that involve family members can contribute to a more holistic approach.