Times are tough, and employee wellbeing is suffering as a result. In fact, only a third of employees report having good emotional wellbeing.
As an employer, this statistic may make you want to seek out new benefits to help look after your employees’ mental and physical health. But, if you want to provide support that really hits the mark, don’t just pick the first benefit or service you stumble upon. Choose the right service.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the things you should look out for in a holistic digital wellbeing app.
Why should you choose a digital app?
Nearly a quarter of the UK workforce now work remotely in some capacity, relying on digital platforms to complete tasks outside of the office. But, this shift from traditional workplaces introduces new issues concerning wellbeing.
In a recent survey of hybrid workers:
- 24 percent said new working patterns increased their stress levels.
- 31 percent found it harder to switch off from work.
- 27 percent said it made them feel more isolated.
So, how can you tackle these problems?
From our own research, we know that employees expect accessible benefits to be available to them on digital platforms. And, almost a third of employees would prefer to access those benefits on a mobile application. In the end, digital workplaces need digital methods of enhancing wellbeing.
But, with so many wellbeing apps on the market, how do you know which one is right for your employees?
Holistic wellbeing for all: 5 things to look out for in an app
1. Clinically valid information
This should be your number one consideration when choosing a wellbeing app for your employees.
Good digital wellbeing platforms provide a full library of digital resources, all validated by medical professionals and tailored to individual needs. The services themselves are also provided by verified clinicians like certified doctors and counsellors. The reason this is important is that it helps employees trust the information they’re receiving. In turn, this will make them more likely to use the application when they require support.
2. Services included
An app might be full of services, but they need to be the right services that your employees will actually use. With 28 percent of employees wanting their employers to offer more mental health and well-being support, it’s clear that holistic services are the way to go.
Our research shows that there is a strong link between mental and physical health. For example, we found that people with depression experience three times more physical conditions than those without depression. And, those that have musculoskeletal disorders are twice as likely to experience a mood or anxiety disorder.
Digital wellbeing apps should therefore have on-demand access to a range of medical services to combat these issues. This might include access to a GP, sessions with a counsellor, or support from an employee assistance program.
3. Accessibility
Of the employees that receive health-related benefits, 12 percent say their benefits were difficult to access.
Digital platforms don’t always ensure a good user experience. Your employees will have varying devices and levels of technical literacy. Some employees may even have impairments that make reading digital information harder. When choosing your app, take a deeper look into the accessibility options it offers. Consider these questions:
- Is the app available on both iOS and Android devices?
- Is the app designed for various screen sizes?
- Is the user interface simple and easy-to-use?
4. Personalisation
All employees want to feel like they belong in their workplace. They want you to see them as individuals and respect their personal circumstances.
That’s why personalisation is such an important component in a digital wellbeing app. Your employees don’t want to receive cookie-cutter health advice that doesn’t account for their unique situation. Powerful wellbeing apps should provide individual pathways and resources based on personal data. This might include maternity advice for pregnant women, mental health support for those with depression, or nutritional guidance for those looking to improve their diet.
Whole health management with Symbio
Adapting your wellness programmes to meet the needs of remote and in-office staff will keep your employees happy, healthy, and productive. But, make sure you do your research before settling on a digital wellbeing app.
If you need a place to start your search, take a look at Symbio. It’s a digital wellbeing app that brings together mind and body care into one streamlined, augmented experience.
Symbio equips your employees with everything they need to take care of their mental and physical health - such as informative resources, personalised healthcare advice, and access to GP services. It’s not just a mindfulness app or a symptom checker, it’s a holistic health manager.
Ready to give Symbio a try? Book a demo to see the app in action.
