Workplace stress is at an all-time high, with U.S. workers citing their jobs as a significant source of stress. While many organizations offer wellness programs to support employees, a significant disconnect exists between what’s available and what benefits employees are utilizing. According to Firstup’s recent Workplace Communication & Wellbeing Survey, almost 25% of employees don’t know what wellness benefits their company offers because they don’t know where to find the information, or their employer never communicated it to them.
Thus, the bigger issue may not be the lack of wellness offerings but how—or if—companies communicate them effectively to their workforce.
To bridge this gap, employers must rethink how they deliver wellness information to employees. Next-gen communication platforms provide an opportunity to personalize and optimize how wellness programs are communicated, ensuring employees are informed and supported when it matters most. Here are four ways next-gen communication can close the gap and better support employee well-being.
1. Reach Employees Where They Are
A significant barrier to effective communication is the over-reliance on email. The survey found that 48% of organizations use email to communicate wellness benefits. However, 54% of respondents said they were deskless or only spent part of the day connected to email, making this method insufficient for reaching a large portion of the workforce.
Companies can improve engagement by adopting multi-channel communication strategies that go beyond email. By leveraging platforms that deliver messages through SMS, mobile push notifications, or even collaboration tools like Slack, employers can ensure that wellness information reaches all employees, whether at a desk or on the go.
2. Deliver Personalized, Timely Information
Generic wellness messages sent several times a year are often ignored or forgotten. Intelligent communication platforms offer a more personalized approach, delivering wellness information based on individual employee needs when and where they need it most.
For example, instead of just sending out an annual email about Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources, imagine automatically sending a mobile push notification about free counseling services to a retail worker who has just returned from bereavement leave, or work/life balance materials to an employee who recently returned from parental leave. Receiving timely, relevant information during critical moments ensures that the employee feels supported by the organization and can easily access the needed resources. This level of personalization helps employees fully utilize benefits such as counseling, financial services, and legal assistance at the most valuable time.
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3. Make Wellness Information Easier to Access
According to the survey, 32% of employees said they would be more likely to use wellness benefits if the information was easier to find. Another 25% said they would engage more if they simply knew what benefits their company offered.
This highlights a clear communication gap: even if wellness programs exist, employees struggle to access or find the information they need to use them.
Instead of relying on lengthy emails or buried intranet pages, next-gen communication platforms simplify access to wellness information. With features like push notifications and mobile app integrations, employees can quickly and easily find details about available wellness programs, ensuring they can act on the information when it matters most.
4. Make Feedback A Priority
Effective communication isn’t a one-way street—it requires feedback and interaction. One of the key advantages of intelligent communication platforms is their ability to create feedback loops. Employees can easily ask questions, provide input, or raise concerns about wellness benefits, helping HR teams better understand their needs.
These platforms provide real-time data and analytics, helping employers monitor engagement with wellness communications. This allows companies to refine their messaging and strategies to keep employees engaged and informed. With this feedback, organizations can swiftly adjust their wellness programs to address the evolving needs of their workforce.
This feedback loop fosters a culture of consistent communication that helps create a culture where well-being is prioritized. By regularly sharing updates and reminders about wellness programs, companies can signal to employees that their health is important and that resources are readily available. Ultimately, consistency in communications can lead to greater participation in wellness initiatives, reducing the likelihood of burnout and disengagement.
Closing the Wellness Communication Gap
The data is clear: ineffective communication is one of the most significant barriers preventing employees from taking advantage of their wellness benefits.
The survey revealed that 42% of employees either don’t know how their company communicates wellness benefits, believe the company doesn’t communicate them, or are unsure whether wellness programs exist.
This points to a massive missed opportunity for employers to better support their workforce. By adopting next-gen communication strategies, companies can ensure that wellness benefits are offered and actively communicated in a way that reaches every employee, closing the gap and better connecting employees with the wellness resources they need.
When organizations prioritize communication, they empower their employees to fully utilize wellness programs and feel supported during the moments that matter most. By embracing next-gen communication solutions, companies can foster a healthier, more engaged workforce that is better equipped to manage stress and thrive in their roles. Effective communication is the key to creating a workplace where well-being is more than just an initiative; it’s part of the organizational culture.
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