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Global Employer Insights Survey: Health and Wellbeing

What’s the biggest challenge to health and wellbeing programme success in EMEA?

Optum surveyed 347 global employers to ask them about the greatest challenges for their health and wellbeing (H&W) programmes. Employers in EMEA said understanding the needs of their employees is one of their main challenges. 

Does your company have a formal, written strategic plan for employee wellness?

Many employers in EMEA struggle to select the right H&W programmes for their workforce. This year, more companies have opted to develop only long-term H&W plans, and misaligned programme choices may take longer to reverse. 

Graph showing percentage of companies with long-term and annual plans, both or no plan. Graph showing percentage of companies with long-term and annual plans, both or no plan.

In 2020, 30% of companies had long-term plans only, 33% in 2021 and 43% in 2022. In 2020, 41% of companies had an annual plan only, 39% in 2021 and 33% in 2022. In 2020, 18% of companies had both a long-term and annual plan, which increased to 20% in 2021 and decreased to 19% in 2022. In 2020, 7% of employers reported having no plan, 6% in 2021 and 3% in 2022. 

How does your company allocate financial resources to programme evaluation in support of its overall H&W strategy?

Programme evaluation can help determine if offerings are meeting both business and employee needs, and employers are allocating more financial resources to this area. 

Graph showing how many companies allocate financial resources to H&W programme evaluation over time. Graph showing how many companies allocate financial resources to H&W programme evaluation over time.

In 2020, 12% of companies allocated financial resources to programme evaluation, 14% in 2021 and 15% in 2022. 

To what extent do you agree your company is able to effectively track H&W metrics to evaluate programme performance? 

Confidence in corporate ability to track performance metrics has also increased.

Graph showing employer confidence in their ability to track H&W programme performance metrics. Graph showing employer confidence in their ability to track H&W programme performance metrics.

In 2021, 36% of employers strongly agreed they’re able to effectively track H&W metrics to evaluate programme performance. In 2022, 43% of companies strongly agreed. 

How important is positive employee feedback in how you determine the success of your H&W programmes? 

Over half of companies believe employee feedback is a very important determinant of programme success but also cite difficulty engaging employees in H&W planning. 

Graph showing percentage of companies who value employee feedback on programmes over time. Graph showing percentage of companies who value employee feedback on programmes over time.

In 2020, 42% of employers believed it was very important to get employee feedback to determine H&W programme success. In 2021, 51% believed that and 54% in 2022. 

The biggest challenge we face as a company is whether the plans we make are what our employees need.

Employer in England

What data is available to support programme selection? How do you determine if programmes are benefitting employees? 

Optum can help. We’re on a mission to create a healthier world.  At Optum, we understand that corporate success starts with a healthy workforce. Our integrated health solutions, including our global Employee Assistance Programme, help advance your health and wellbeing strategy to build a culture of health within your organisation. 

Learn more at optum.com/globalemployers.

Global Employer Insight Survey: EMEA

(PDF 112kb)

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Survey/ methodology

  • 347 international employers located in APAC, EMEA or LATAM regions
  • Global companies with 3,000+ employees
  • Decision-makers in human resources, executive, management or administrative roles
  • Surveys administered online from 7 April to 5 May 2022