How Employers Can Empower Employees to Take Charge of their Health
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on May 29, 2024
How Employers Can Empower Employees to Take Charge of their Health
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on May 29, 2024
A new research study on the state of workplace health and wellness in Canada revealed that the majority of working Canadians (71%) are more health-conscious than ever before. Almost all want to improve their wellbeing and are increasingly open (80%) to virtual or self-guided solutions that enable them to manage their health in new ways that are comfortable and convenient for their lifestyle.
In today’s working world, new technology-enabled tools are being added to the wellbeing toolbox at record pace, making the promise of “health care anywhere, anytime” a new and exciting reality. The challenge for employers is to choose options carefully that meet the diverse needs – and evolving expectations – of their workforce that help them take charge of their healthcare, and on their terms.
Lean into your insurance advisors, providers
So where to begin? The first step for employers should be to seek the expert advice of their benefit plan advisor and provider to design a package with a blend of easily accessible and cost-effective options that empower employees to take a direct and active role in their health and wellness, leading to a healthier, happier and more engaged workforce.
To support you, we’ve created this how-to guide to help put your employees firmly in the driver’s seat of their healthcare.
A how-to guide for employers supporting employee health initiatives
Health risk assessments
Offer health assessments or screenings that help employees identify potential health risks and provide them with personalized information, resources, and tips for preventative care. Our wellness portal, Health Connected, helps members of group plans better understand their health and take proactive steps to reach their goals for better health and wellness.
Employee assistance programs
EAPs provide employees confidential counseling for work-life issues, mental health support, and financial advice. Our program, inConfidence, offers employees and their immediate family members access to in-person, video or telephone counselling, legal and financial consultations, and online resources to address personal and work challenges.
A how-to guide for employers supporting employee health initiatives
Health risk assessments
Offer health assessments or screenings that help employees identify potential health risks and provide them with personalized information, resources, and tips for preventative care. Our wellness portal, Health Connected, helps members of group plans better understand their health and take proactive steps to reach their goals for better health and wellness.
Employee assistance programs
EAPs provide employees confidential counseling for work-life issues, mental health support, and financial advice. Our program, inConfidence, offers employees and their immediate family members access to in-person, video or telephone counselling, legal and financial consultations, and online resources to address personal and work challenges.
Education and awareness
Though most working Canadians consider an EAP a valuable resource, over half (53%) report never having used their workplace program, according to Environics Research. This points to the need for employers to review their benefits and raise employee awareness of the available resources. This will ensure you get better results from your benefits investment and encourage and empower your employees to prioritize their health and well-being.
Educational resources and wellness programs
There’s a variety of ways employers can create a supportive environment that educates and equips employees to proactively take care of their health. One is by creating a digital library of related resources and sharing them through various internal channels. Another is by implementing programs that promote healthy living, offering incentives to foster participation and engagement. Another way is by holding in-person and online workshops, and seminars on nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health.
Virtual care
As the Environics Research study indicated, 8 in 10 working Canadians like having virtual care options to be and stay healthy. This is an important consideration for employers looking to modernize their plans with benefits that match employee needs and self-care preferences. Technology-enabled solutions allow employees to consult healthcare providers remotely to diagnose and treat non-emergency medical issues, saving both time and money for both them and their employers. Our digital health platform, Connected Care, houses a suite of virtual services from Text Therapy to Online Doctors to ensure members have access to timely, quality care – anytime, anywhere.
Preventive care
Workplace wellness initiatives that promote preventative care, such as annual check-ups and vaccinations, screenings and health risk assessments, will help employees detect health issues early on and make informed decisions about their care. Leadership buy-in for wellness initiatives open communication, peer support, together with flexible work arrangements and spending accounts, will also go a long way in creating a culture that puts the health and wellbeing of employees front and centre.
Virtual care
As the Environics Research study indicated, 8 in 10 working Canadians like having virtual care options to be and stay healthy. This is an important consideration for employers looking to modernize their plans with benefits that match employee needs and self-care preferences. Technology-enabled solutions allow employees to consult healthcare providers remotely to diagnose and treat non-emergency medical issues, saving both time and money for both them and their employers. Our digital health platform, Connected Care, houses a suite of virtual services from Text Therapy to Online Doctors to ensure members have access to timely, quality care – anytime, anywhere.
Preventive care
Workplace wellness initiatives that promote preventative care, such as annual check-ups and vaccinations, screenings and health risk assessments, will help employees detect health issues early on and make informed decisions about their care. Leadership buy-in for wellness initiatives open communication, peer support, together with flexible work arrangements and spending accounts, will also go a long way in creating a culture that puts the health and wellbeing of employees front and centre.
Reach out to your Medavie Blue Cross representative to learn more about our self-guided and virtual solutions and to discuss making them part of your employee benefits package.
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...