Personify Health, the first and only platform company to bring health, well-being, and navigation solutions together, has released the results of a 2,000-employee survey, “2024 Insights: Employee Health and Productivity Report.” The survey reveals employees’ attitudes and experiences with company-sponsored health and well-being programs, and benefits offerings. Conducted by independent market research firm Ipsos among employees at large U.S. companies, the survey uncovers four main themes:
- investing in employee health makes a big impact;
- health and well-being struggles are affecting work performance and culture;
- employers could do more to help employees navigate benefits and find the best care; and
- gaps exist in desired benefits versus offered benefits.
“These findings shine a spotlight on where more support is needed and offer clear guidance on how employers can make improvements to achieve a more supported workforce,” says Chris Michalak, CEO of Personify Health. “Only one in four employees surveyed believe their company makes employee well-being a high priority, but the data indicates it should be. Employers who view health and well-being programs as a business imperative are experiencing the positive outcomes that come with that commitment.”
Employee Health Investment Can Reap Big Rewards
Notably, the survey uncovers that investing in health and well-being makes a big impact. Employees who say their employer has optimized their health and well-being program have better outcomes across the board. These include fewer employee issues, health having less impact on job performance, and less time wasted searching for answers about their benefits programs.
- More than 75% of those with an optimized program do not report burnout as a major problem at their company, while 52% of respondents whose companies have a beginner-stage program report burnout as a major issue. This demonstrates that health and well-being programs can play a part in the employee experience and their overall satisfaction.
- Nearly half (48%) of those with a basic program indicate that their work has been impacted by their mental and emotional health over the past 12 months, compared to 30% with an optimized program.
Health and Well-being Issues Impact Productivity and Culture
The analysis identifies how employees’ health and well-being struggles are impacting their work performance. It also acknowledges issues affecting corporate culture more broadly. These findings help further demonstrate the importance for companies to prioritize workplace well-being programs and engage their employees in them.
- Mental and emotional health is most likely to have an impact on employees’ ability to do their jobs (41%), followed by physical health (30%), and financial health and social well-being (22% each).
- Among those whose ability to do their job has been impacted by their health, the majority say they have less enthusiasm (69%) or more trouble focusing at work (55%).
- Employees with chronic diseases are more likely to report frequent absences impacting their performance.
- More than half of respondents (57%) say they regularly experience low periods of productivity on a typical day. Employees under 35 (67%), women (66%), and non-managers (62%) are most likely to report periods of low energy on an average day, or even struggle to focus.
- Eight in 10 employees say that burnout is an issue, and 66% say there is a poor work-life balance at their company.
Employees Want Benefits Aligned with Their Needs
The survey finds that employers can do more to help their employees find the best care. In fact, 37% of respondents indicate they are not confident they are receiving the best care at the lowest cost. This may be related to the complexity of their benefits and lack of personalized support. It is crucial for employers to prioritize their employees’ health and well-being programs and provide support to help them navigate the healthcare system and make informed, personalized choices.
- Those with basic or beginner-stage health and well-being programs are less confident in the care they are receiving (41%) compared to those with optimized programs (79%).
- When navigating the healthcare system and making informed choices, most employees use between two and five websites, portals, or apps to access their organization’s benefits (58%).
- Nearly two in five (39%) said they did not receive help from anyone in making healthcare decisions.
Nearly all employees, across all groups, say that quality benefits are important when job hunting, making it a critical part of attracting top talent. However, a substantial proportion of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their employer’s benefits package, citing mismatches with their specific needs, the absence of desired benefits, or a lack of awareness regarding the availability of certain benefits. The needs gap is largest for LGBTQ+ benefits (75%), fertility and family planning (71%), social connectedness (66%), caregiving (65%), and support for chronic conditions (65%) – growing areas of importance for many employees.
