Today's Edition
RABI HAMAMSAH (ABU DHABI)
A recent study conducted by Bupa Global, a top healthcare management company, shows that 88% of businesses in the UAE intend to boost their funding for employee wellness initiatives in the coming year due to the evident Return on Wellbeing Investment (ROWI).
Wellness programmes, proven to greatly enhance employee productivity, engagement and retention, are increasingly essential factors of organisational success.
An impressive 94% of top executives have stated that wellbeing initiatives improve productivity, highlighting the direct correlation between health investments and overall company success.
Dean Pollard, General Manager of Bupa Global Middle East and Asia, stated that their customised ROWI survey clearly shows that focusing on employee health is advantageous for both individuals and businesses strategically.
Investing in comprehensive wellbeing programmes leads to concrete health benefits for companies, such as decreased employee absenteeism and enhanced engagement and performance.
Wellness programmes are now considered essential investments for promoting a healthier, more robust workforce, leading to the success of the business.
The research provides strong proof that wellbeing initiatives yield significant returns on investment in wellbeing.
Over half (53%) of the senior leaders who were surveyed indicated notable increases in productivity following the implementation of these initiatives.
Furthermore, approximately half (49%) of employers saw increased employee engagement, with 36% reporting a decrease in absenteeism.
These results show that wellbeing programmes affect business performance in addition to supporting personal health.
Nearly 29% of companies said they had reduced staff turnover, showing that wellbeing is important not just for keeping employees but also for achieving long-term success as a business.
As 93% of employers now view wellbeing as a crucial factor in achieving business success, it is increasingly becoming a key component of their strategy, highlighting the rising significance of health-focused efforts in enhancing competitiveness and organisational performance.
Even though the advantages of wellbeing programmes are evident, there are still obstacles in putting them into practice.
Almost half (45%) of senior leaders mentioned lack of employee involvement as a hindrance, while 43% pointed to budget limitations as a barrier.
However, when considering the future, it is evident that the dedication to wellness is strong, with almost 88% of employers intending to boost their funding for these initiatives in the coming year.
Significantly, over 20% of organisations plan to increase their wellbeing budgets by more than 15%, showing a commitment to promoting healthier, more engaged employees and acknowledging the lasting benefits this provides.
According to employees, wellness programmes have a significant impact.
A notable 66% of workers are content with their company's wellbeing benefits, with a preference for flexible work options, health seminars, and parental leave programmes.
These programmes meet the needs of employees and promote a work culture that is health-conscious and supportive.
Due to these initiatives, the majority of workers (60%) experienced enhancements in their work-life equilibrium, with almost half (47%) observing improved physical wellbeing.
Efforts like health screenings and wellness workshops have been found to lower health risks and foster a healthy work environment.
Forty-one per cent of employees also experienced enhanced motivation as a result.
At the same time, more than one-third (36%) saw a decrease in stress, underscoring the wide-ranging benefits of these programmes.
