Employees want a hand with their financial, mental well-being

Dive Brief:

Workers want their employers' help with financial well-being and mental health, according to a survey compiled by the National Business Group on Health (NBGH). Almost one-third of those polled said they would like their employer to assist more than they currently do with their financial health and planning. Health care and prescription drug costs were a desired area of financial assistance for 34% of respondents and the cost of housing was a top concern for 26%.
About 27% of workers said they would like overall support for their mental health. More specifically, about 25% want resources to help them sleep better and be more resilient, and another two in five want assistance with burnout on the job, NBGH said.
More employees (59%) reported high levels of well-being when their employers provided access to “health-enabling communities" than those without such communities (28%), according to NBGH. Having close access to healthcare facilities and fitness/recreation centers, restaurants that include healthy options and bike lanes/paths helped more workers feel better, NBGH said.

Dive Insight:

Some employers are offering financial initiatives that meet the needs of a diverse workforce, many of whom are newcomers to financial planning and literacy. Although about one-third of U.S. employees participated in some form of financial wellness programming last year, many report struggling financially. The same data shows more than half of workers eschew important healthcare needs in their quest to save money. The diversity of needs related to financial wellness could be partially responsible can make providing benefits to workers hard for employers.

With mental health issues on the rise, too, and data suggesting that 20% of adults need some form of assistance, more companies are rethinking their culture and encouraging the use of employee assistance programs and on-site clinics. As work continues to stress employees, employers may consider even more solutions. Educating managers on the available options for stress management might become a higher priority for HR departments, as well. Resources like the U.S. Department of Labor's recently introduced mental health toolkit can educate employers on employee issues and ways to provide support.