Employees expect more from employers

Urgent workforce strategy reviews required

• Employees expect more from employers: mental health support & workplace flexibility
• Virtual mental health consultations increased 89% since beginning of pandemic
• Higher COVID-19 vaccination rates linked to better well-being outlook
• Mental health most important influence on whole-person health

The impact COVID-19 has had on virtual health, whole-person health, resilience and remote work was highlighted in the seventh annual 360 Well-Being Survey conducted by Cigna International. The Survey, which covered over 18,000 adults across 21 markets globally, confirmed that global pandemic recovery would require successful vaccination programmes and a holistic view of supporting mental health by both employers and governments.

COVID-19 vaccination uptake enhances well-being outlook
Findings confirm the connection between greater vaccine uptake and access to successful vaccination programmes, with more positive perceptions of health and well-being first shown in Cigna’s 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Perception Survey. Among the markets with high vaccination rates, the United States, United Arab Emirates, Spain and Saudi Arabia all reporting well-being scores exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

In contrast, markets where vaccination rates are lower such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, had lower well-being scores, despite not yet experiencing surges in cases and still maintaining a relatively lower number of deaths related to COVID-19 at the time of the Survey. This negative outlook may be linked to the struggle to reach herd immunity in those markets, a milestone that experts widely agree is the long-term solution to beating COVID-19.

Jason Sadler, President, Cigna International, said, “Even as we begin to see reasons for optimism, we are reminded that overcoming the pandemic and its impact on health and well-being requires a comprehensive global vaccination program and uptake. Our Survey shows the pandemic has had a particularly negative impact on certain demographics and groups and understanding this will be vital for businesses and policymakers alike.”

Mental & physical health key to whole-person health
72% of respondents rank mental health as the most important influence on personal health and well-being, followed by physical health at 70%. Although some stigma around mental health persists, the rise in adoption and availability of virtual health tools offers an opportunity to help people access the care they need when they need it. Globally, the use of virtual consultations to access mental health therapy and counselling services has increased 89% since the beginning of the pandemic. This echoes data from the United States in Cigna’s One-Year Impact of COVID-19 report, which showed nearly two-thirds of behavioural care was performed virtually.

Financial well-being concerns prevalent
Only 28% of respondents are confident in their ability to maintain their current standard of living, and 19% of respondents say they feel very good or excellent when asked if they have sufficient money for retirement. The outlook was poorest in women, with significant concerns regarding long-term saving specifically reported in the 18 – 24 age group and retirement planning among those aged 50 to 64.

Family time boosts resilience—rethink required on workforce strategies
This Survey found that global working parents with younger children (aged under 18) reported the highest well-being score of 66.2 and are the most optimistic group across almost all elements of the five indices. The research found that 83% of respondents in this group are confident in their ability to support their children’s education, and 84% are positive about their ability to take care of their children’s health and well-being.

Respondents reported an increased desire to work from home, with 26% citing the greater connection with family as one of the key benefits of remote working. Employers should take note of this trend as employees now expect flexibility and better support in terms of access to health and well-being services, with mental health and stress management seen as critical elements, as well as financial advice.

Michelle Leung, Human Resources Officer, Cigna International, concluded, “Health benefits and better work-life balance are key areas where employers fall short of employee expectations. As companies update employment policies post-pandemic, they will need to address these concerns to retain and attract the best talent.”