WELLNESS AND SAFETY PARAMOUNT FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES
Over the past year, employers’ and employees’ physical, mental and emotional well-being have been tested like never before, and many experts agree that efforts to maintain a safe and healthy environment will continue to be a priority for the foreseeable future.
According to Wellable’s 2021 Employee Wellness Industry Trends report, COVID-19 has accelerated workplace wellness trends. Findings show that mental health programs are seeing a rapid increase in adoption and investment as the pandemic is triggering and exacerbating mental health conditions.
Specifically, the majority of employers are increasing their investment in mental health programs (88 percent), stress management and resilience (81 percent), and mindfulness and meditation (69 percent).
Telemedicine programs experienced one of the most significant increases in popularity of all wellness benefits. Eighty-seven percent of employers plan to invest more this year — a full 25 percentage points higher than the previous year.
Considering employers’ heightened awareness of health concerns, almost
all (92 percent) of health insurance brokers believe that the safety measures, sanitary practices, and social distancing guidelines companies established during COVID-19 will remain to some degree even after the pandemic has subsided.
In this issue of the MBA Business Magazine, we’ll highlight some of the exciting programs and services available to employers and their employees. We’ll also provide an update on completion of the UPMC Hamot Patient Care Tower, the largest construction project in the hospital’s 140-year history and a beacon of hope and promise to critical care patients and their families in the region.
You’ll also want to read our Spotlight Q&A as we talk with Keith Eller of Workpartners about benefits of employee assistance programs (EAPs) and an exclusive discount now available to MBA members through a partnership between the Manufacturer & Business Association and Workpartners EAP services.
Plus, don’t miss our expert articles on how to address employee questions/ concerns about EAPs, and the importance of health screenings to boost your employee wellness and lower your health-care costs.
For more information on how the Association can help answer your EAP, workplace wellness or COVID- 19-related questions, contact us at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or visit www.mbausa.org!
