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Business leaders are desperate to ensure that the expensive perks workers increasingly expect actually generate positive outcomes like higher productivity and engagement. This constraint is particularly evident in the area of wellbeing support, where there is a high gap between what workers want and what companies offer.
Earlier this year, Marsh McLennan, a professional services firm and parent company of human resources consultancy Mercer, launched “@YourBest,” an app that provides personalized wellness recommendations and services to employees. As of November, more than 20% of Marsh McLennan’s 85,000 employees had used the platform. For comparison, utilization rates for employee assistance programs are generally trend below 10%.
After signing up for the app, employees complete an assessment that generates personalized recommendations to improve their well-being. The process is similar to styling services like Stitch Fix, which recommends personalized clothing and accessories based on the user’s preferences.
“The adoption of human and digital healthcare delivery, such as promoting the benefits of virtual care, is something that we believe has grown during the pandemic,” says Carmen Fernandez, chief human resources officer of Marsh McLennan. “More and more colleagues want to have the same experience they have outside of work, inside of work. »
Recommendations include tips for starting financial savings, hydration tips, and gratitude procedures. The platform also encourages users to take advantage of employee benefit offers.
“It’s meant to be their one-stop shop for all questions, issues, and wellness needs that touch on mental, financial, and social topics,” says Fernandez.
There is also a gamification aspect to help engage employees. Users can earn points on the platform, for example, by participating in different activities, which they can use to unlock additional activities and participate in challenges with colleagues.
On the employer side, Fernandez says the platform gives her team insight into the wellness support employees need most, such as building resilience and navigating uncertain times. “We have the ability to understand, through the well-being assessment, what the needs of our colleagues are. And then we think about it regularly to understand how they evolve.
Paige McGlauflin
paige.mcglauflin@fortune.com
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Journalist’s notebook
The most compelling data, quotes and insights from the field.
Pets could soon return to the office, according to to new research.
Allowing pets in the office can improve employee well-being, collaboration and bonding between colleagues, according to to a report in the Management Journal. But this is not without its drawbacks, including a small subset of employees who may object for cultural or religious reasons, phobias or bad experiences, and hygiene or allergy concerns.
Leaders considering allowing pets in the office should establish clear policies, such as when and where pets are welcome, as well as the owner’s responsibilities.
Around the table
An overview of the most important HR news.
– Some companies rent their workspaces WeWork-style to accommodate the needs of remote employees and save money on long-term office leases. Financial Times
– Job satisfaction has fallen to its lowest level since 2020 due to inflation, a slowing job market and the pitfalls of changing office demands. Wall Street Journal
– The Institute for Economic Equity at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis projects that pandemic-related employment gains will stay the course for the foreseeable future. Opportunities for minority groups, however, are vulnerable to return. Reuters
– More and more employees want retirement plans rather than 401(k) retirement plans. New York Times
Water cooler
Everything you need to know Fortune.
Pay to stay. A slight majority of hybrid workers report higher pay for in-person work would motivate them to come to the office more often. About 4% of HR reps whose companies are offering new RTO policies say they include this type of incentive. —Wyatte Grantham-Philips, PA
Clear the table. AI will increase creativity by automating around 70% of employees’ administrative taskssaid global leader of AI company QuantumBlack Fortune CEO Alan Murray. —Chloe Taylor
Divide the infusions. Generation Z workers better respond to mandates to return to power than millennials because they see the benefits of networking and training, according to a new study by Stanford professor and remote work expert Nick Bloom. —Steve Mollman