WTW survey: Employers see workers’ mental well-being as a top priority this year

Most employers have cited worker stress, mental health and burnout as key priorities for the coming year, but nearly half have yet to articulate a formal strategy for wellbeing, according to a new survey.

TO new survey from WTW, or Willis Towers Watson, finds that 86% are focusing on mental health needs. However, 49% have yet to design their formal plan, the survey found. Only a quarter of the 322 employers surveyed have outlined and implemented a wellness strategy.

“As stress and burnout levels continue to rise amid the ongoing pandemic, employers are prioritizing the overall well-being of their employees,” Regina Ihrke, WTW senior director of health and benefits, said in a statement.

“The organizations that move the needle most effectively are those that develop a comprehensive strategy that supports all aspects of their employees’ wellness,” Ihrke said. “It’s also important to articulate that strategy to employees, conduct training for managers, and measure effectiveness.”

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The surveyed employers represent 5.3 million workers.

The survey also examines employers’ progress toward wellness programs that focus on a number of specific areas, including physical, emotional and financial health. For example, 48% of employers are planning or considering programs that focus on emotional wellness. About a third (35%) have launched such a program.

Twenty-seven percent of employers said they were planning or considering programs that target specific high-cost needs, such as maternity, diabetes, and depression. Sixty-four percent said they already offer such programs.

Additionally, the survey found that 32% of employers are planning or considering the financial well-being of workers. Only 18% currently offer such programs.

“As we move into 2022, employers struggling with recruitment and retention will look to make their wellness programs a differentiator to attract and engage top talent. For years, employers have used financial rewards to encourage employees to take action for their own well-being; however, since those incentives have often failed to change employee behavior, employers are looking for new ways to engage and incentivize employees to take charge of their own well-being,” Ihrke said.