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

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.