Corporate Well-Being
Even as life limps back post-lockdown, it does so to a changed world, where practically nothing remains untouched by the long arm of Covid. In order to help employees cope with the new challenges, many companies are opting for corporate health and wellness workshops post-lockdown. From subscription-based Employee Assistance Programmes to leadership sessions focussed on grooming kind and emotionally evolved leaders, to doctor teleconsultations, and mental health awareness workshops, corporates are going the extra mile to ensure the health and well-being of the workforce
"Employees are very important assets for the company and corporate health and wellness programmes are a must for them"
Prasad Rajappan, Founder and CEO, ZingHR“An organisation’s ability to build a competent, committed and connected workforce is going to be a big differentiator and enabler of current and future business strategy,” maintains Sarvesh Shashi, Founder, Sarva Yoga. “The workplace environment which was erstwhile contributed largely by office buildings, factories, conference rooms, cubicles and cabins will now be broadened beyond geographic constraints. I envision workforce climate as a three-tiered construct - Physical, Emotional and Spiritual. The physical aspects include hygiene factors like office workspace and ergonomics. The emotional aspects of the workforce are nurtured by ensuring the right job fit, maintaining cohesiveness at work and ensuring that employees are heard through various in-person as well as digital platforms. Employees’ ability to connect with the larger society, and see life beyond work ensures the holistic development of employees and their family members. Therefore, to ensure the well-being of all employees and to ensure that there are work-life harmony and sustained performance from employees, it is crucial that companies invest in their human capital by curating specific health and wellness programs aimed at holistic employee productivity efforts.”
“When the lockdown was announced, all of us went through bouts of anxiety given the uncertainty. Now with things slowly returning to normalcy, there is heightened anxiety yet again,” explains psychologist, Parveen Shaikh, Head Outreach and Collaborations, Mpower. “People are now in the comfort zone working from the confines of their homes and have adapted themselves to this lifestyle. Most of us worry about travelling by public vehicles, gathering in large numbers and in the process of contracting the virus. While at work, instead of being armed with smiles, people will now be armed with masks and that’s going to take a toll mentally as well. The virus still exists and so does the anxiety and fear. To help their employees cope with fear, stress, anxiety, varied emotions and most importantly build resilience to face such challenging and uncertain times, corporates are looking at investing in wellness workshops. There cannot be a better time than now for corporates to look at having a mental wellness partner.”
Adds Dr Khushboo Garodia, Homeopath, Trichologist, Integrative Health Expert and founder, Meraki Wellbeing, “Lockdown has taken its toll on us all in different ways, whether it’s long hours working on an unsuitable chair in our bedrooms, unhealthy snacking, disturbed sleep or lack of proper exercise, as well as the impact on our mental health. Many employees are surely going to have a tough time getting back and settling in after working out of their homes for so long, even returning back to their old schedules will surely feel very overwhelming. Some people might feel anxious and will find it difficult to concentrate as the pandemic is still looming and they will constantly be worried about carrying the virus and infecting their loved ones back home. To help address these and more every company needs to adopt comprehensive health and wellness workshops.”
“Employees are very important assets for the company and corporate health and wellness programmes are a must for them,” points out Prasad Rajappan, Founder and CEO, ZingHR, “to help employees adopt the New Normal Way of Working.”
(L-R) Vishala Khurana and Kamakshi Khurana,co-founders, The Sound Space
Meeting the challenge
The health and wellness industry has risen to meet the challenge offering a range of relevant workshops and training sessions. “The process of attitude change must begin at the top so we offer Leadership workshops focussed 49 on grooming kind and emotionally evolved leaders,” informs Dr Milan Balakrishnan, Consultant Psychiatrist and Counsellor, Masina Hospital, Mumbai. “We are aware that most companies don’t look at kindness as a trait for a good leader but companies are evolving and beginning to see that happy companies are more productive. We used to find earlier that when we did sessions for employees with their bosses around, we found they were morbidly afraid to speak up. We started doing focussed groups with mindfulness training for them to reflect and find their own solutions. We organised mindful communication workshops that taught people to Pause, Think and then Talk. We offered them online and offline support outside of sessions which they have really taken to,” he shares, adding that employees prefer connecting in person as many problems affecting them are personal and unrelated to work.
Dr Khushboo Garodia’s sessions focus on working in detail with nutrition, exercise, physical activity and lifestyle strategies for a healthier way of life integrated with one’s busy schedule at work. Sessions involve Putting Mindfulness To Work, and Stress or Success - What’s Your Pick? “With the speed of distractions today, our attention is always scattered. Add to this a pandemic and going back to work after a really long time”.
Harsh Pokharna co-founder & CEO, OkCreditResearch shows that 47% of the time we are mentally off-task. This leads to unproductive multitasking & action addiction individually & organisationally. Yogesh Agarwal, Founder, Onsurity, reveals that focus is empowering emerging businesses with affordable employee healthcare benefits via an easy-to-use tech platform. “Through the platform, we assist businesses to make seamless purchases of affordable monthly healthcare plans curated to match the needs of these businesses, thus creating healthier and happier teams.” Some key features offered by the app include discounted health check-ups/lab tests, doctor teleconsultations and assistance during hospitalisation by a dedicated team of doctors.
In a similar vein, online digital healthcare platform, MediBuddy Gold offers an Employee Assistance Programme, the key components of which are Health Risk Assessment (HRA), Wellness Coaching, and Wellbeing Interventions. Explains Dr Gowri Kulkarni, Head of Medical Operations, MediBuddy-DocsApp, “For an employee, the year-long programme will start with a session with the wellness coach followed by an HRA, arriving at a wellness score and based on those set health-related goals, progress mapping and ending with an HRA at the end of the period. The Wellness Coach will assist employees in filling up the HRA which includes Family History, Personal History, Lifestyle, Social Wellness, and Occupational Wellness. Based on this, a customised programme will be designed for the employee, by the Wellness Coach that would include a fitness routine, diet and nutrition plan and result assessment. It would also include guidance and counselling on making lifestyle change, which will help increase the emotional quotient and reduce stress thus focusing on all for aspects - Mind, Move, Munch and Motivate.”
"Through our platform, we assist businesses to make seamless purchases of affordable monthly healthcare plans curated to match the needs of these businesses"
Yogesh Agarwal, Founder, OnsurityEncouraging response
As an employer, Harsh Pokharna, co-founder and CEO, OkCredit, accepts, “The ongoing global crisis has taken a toll on every human being - personally, professionally and financially. Difficult situations and sudden emergencies arrive without notice, hence, we wanted to ensure that all employees had the right kind of information regarding healthcare benefits and insurances at their disposal, whenever they needed.” Post-lockdown, Pokharna believes health and wellness workshops are a great way to help employees maintain a balance between health and work responsibilities.
With companies looking for new ways to rejuvenate and bring employees back in synergy with the rest of the workplace, they are exploring new and unconventional methods. “Music is an accessible way to do this. Employees seem to be reacting with openness and even excitement at the idea of making music together. The corporates are open to the idea of a fun yet relaxing way to bring their employees back in tandem with the workspace and the rest of the workforce,” share Kamakshi and Vishala Khurana, co-founders, The Sound Space, who focus on enhancing social interaction, building self-esteem, finding one’s inner voice, team building and also developing listening skills through their workshops.
Dr Milan Balakrishnan admits that companies are initially sceptical as it is difficult to change an old concept. “There is some level of resistance. Beginning at the top helps, once bosses find it useful, they want to pass it on. When such initiatives are taken, employees find it most useful, they feel supported and taken care off. Sense of loyalty improves and reduces attrition.” Masina Hospital has worked with a set of people in each workplace to identify a group of people who are better listeners, not necessarily only the HR personnel. “These listeners will be available for those who are going through a hard time, not necessarily a mental illness. They are trained to listen without judgement, be empathetic and help people feel safe. This sort of peer support and a feeling of safety always helps in building a strong support system for employees and a happier workplace.” It is about a holistic approach rather than quick fixes; a complete wellness plan for the company based on its structure.
"Many employees are surely going to have a tough time getting back and settling in after working out of their homes for so long"
Dr Khushboo Garodia, Homeopath,Trichologist, Integrative Health
Expert & founder, Meraki Wellbeing
Gurpreet Singh, founder, The Center of Healing, avers that the response from corporates as well as employees has been overwhelming, with both getting benefitted by the workshops and sessions. “Our therapies help them to bring positive change in life, achieve their personal goals and develop a positive attitude towards everything in life.” Adds Nalina Ramalakshmi, Parenting expert and founder, ParentCircle.com, “Corporates, due to pandemic, have realised the importance of employee benefit programmes and have been undergoing changes to implement them in a more flexible manner. Businesses due to the global crisis have realised that family and community have to come first and hence have surprisingly joined hands and are considering suggestions from experts in the field. All the programmes we have conducted and organised so far, we have received more than expected engagements from employees, they come and tell us about how overwhelmed they feel when they see their organisation take care of not only them but also their families.”
With corporates understanding the need for a balanced life, the emphasis is on employees’ mental wellbeing. “Hence, programmes like Gadget Free Hour are highly encouraged and supported by them,” adds Nalina, about the overwhelming response received from 36+ corporates who joined and pledged GadgetFreeHour.
Conclusion: Organising one stress management workshop a year is not the solution to most problems, as Dr Milan Balakrishnan affirms. The focus on health and wellness by corporates is not necessarily an increase in productivity exercise but a change in outlook. It is a change of attitude that doesn’t breed cut-throat competition or insecurity among employees. Workplaces need to evolve into places where people are kind to each other and supportive of each other and are aware if someone is not okay; the reassurance that it’s okay to be not okay.