Disruptive Dialogues help us understand what drives forward meaningful change around workplace health & wellbeing. This past month, we had the incredible opportunity to connect with Deb Gran, Chief Human Resources Officer at LabCorp with over three decades of experience across human resources.
Together, we explore some priority takeaways every HR leader should consider when approaching employee health and wellbeing. Especially as we head into the fourth quarter of 2024, it’s never been more important than now to reassess your workforce, their expectations around health & wellbeing benefits and whether you’re measuring up to their needs.
Collecting meaningful employee benefits feedback provides a roadmap for success.
Feedback is integral to building employee health and wellbeing benefits programs that work and, more importantly, that actually are utilized. Deb’s motto is, “It’s all about the conversation,” and that’s something she uses to help develop what’s going on within her organization. Tools like regular surveys give employers actionable data to help spark conversations around health and wellbeing benefits that can then power up decisions and communicate the “why.” HR leaders should prioritize sourcing this information regularly so their benefits are evolving closely to their workforce.
Asking employees honest questions like, “What current health & wellbeing benefits are you utilizing?” and “How would you rate our company’s current mental health benefits and support?” opens the door for honest conversations that result in programs that truly support employee health & wellbeing. Gathering feedback and acting on it, not only ensures that benefits align with the real needs of employees but also promotes transparency and trust across the organization. Employees feel heard and valued when their input directly shapes the benefits they receive, leading to increased engagement, higher retention rates, and a stronger organizational culture. In an ever-changing workplace, this continuous dialogue helps businesses stay agile and proactive, ready to adapt to the evolving needs of their workforce.
Setting strong standards helps support a successful remote workforce.
Over the past four years, more companies have explored remote or hybrid schedules. LabConnect is a fully remote organization and Deb has worked carefully to build intentional community within this framework – which is a priority for any organization, remote or otherwise. When it comes to building community, Deb shares it’s, “All about setting the tone for what expectations are.” Especially when employees are on camera all day, and the lines between work and life become blurred beyond recognition, that’s where organizations need to recognize the toll that can have on employees and lead by example.
Says Deb, “Today’s employee wants to know that you care about them.” That’s why creating opportunities for authentic connection and engagement, even in a virtual environment, is essential. It’s also why providing benefits like health coaching that help employees set strong work-life boundaries while experiencing meaningful connection, can be integral to achieving more optimal health and wellbeing. Strong work-life boundaries can be game-changing.
Mental health needs to be addressed beyond healthcare benefits.
According to Deb, “Progressive leaders are focused on more than medical, dental and vision benefits.” Here at YourCoach, we’ve seen this firsthand when working with our employer partners and their employees. Traditional healthcare is simply not enough to address the constant stressors contributing to a marked decline in mental health across the board. Employers must recognize that supporting mental health is not just about access to healthcare—it’s about fostering a holistic approach to employee wellbeing. Healthy employees are more engaged, happier and more productive, making mental health support an essential business priority.
Deb emphasizes that employers should take “a layered approach” to mental health. “If we can provide different areas to impact the independent growth of our individuals, our teams, our leaders, it’s a fantastic benefit.” Health coaching, for example, offers mental health support alongside physical wellness guidance, creating a comprehensive approach that delivers lasting results both inside and outside the workplace. This is why health coaching has become one of the most requested employee benefits and one of the most effective tools for improving overall health and wellbeing.
At YourCoach, we’ve seen the firsthand value real health coaching brings to employees everywhere – helping them achieve more optimal holistic health and wellbeing that’s perfectly tailored to their health goals and intended outcomes. Not only that, but we’re seeing an increased demand from employees for health coaching services and expect this only to increase. If you’re an employer who’s interested in learning more about how we can partner to bring impactful health coaching to your employees, the kind that moves the needle, send us a note to team@yourcoach.health.