Dubai: UAE's companies still have some way to go when it comes to communicating effectively with their employees, according to a study by Aetna International. The study — which polled over 1,000 employees across the UAE — shows that work remains to be done to improve internal communication among organizations and their workforces, concerning the health benefits available and how to access them.
Most UAE employees (70 per cent) believe their company genuinely cares about their health and well-being and almost half say health and well-being have become an important part of their corporate culture. When asked to gauge their company’s progress on key health and well-being metrics, over a 12-month period between September 2020, some 61 per cent of UAE employees say their employer has made efforts to meet the varied needs of employees when crafting insurance plans.
A significant portion (77 per cent) report action having been taken by their organization to support employees in maintaining their overall mental health and wellbeing while at work, as well as encouraging them to access the appropriate mental health resources when needed. At a time when many employees are having to manage the strains that come with hybrid work, 81 per cent of those polled said their management has taken the right steps to help them avoid work-related stress and burnout. And 85 per cent report their companies have made moves to support employees in dealing with the anxiety caused by the pandemic and its associated lockdowns.
Taking the lead
“It is encouraging to see employers across the UAE fulfil their leadership roles and step up to the plate regarding employee health and wellness, particularly when it comes to mental health and pandemic induced stressors,” said David Healy, CEO EMEA, Aetna International. “In previous research, employees said loud and clear that their employers should do more to support them in the post-Covid world."
Despite the positive report cards from employees in terms of the post-Covid health and well-being benefits offered by their employers, the research also notes that employees need more to be done in terms of where and how they can access benefits. Some 22 per cent say their employer has not shared clear information on how to access benefits or support. And when asked what they feel was missing from the support currently provided, top of the list (43 per cent) was better communication.
Central hub
Interestingly, 40 per cent called for a centralized information hub with clear descriptions of what benefits are available and how to access them. This is a clear sign of need for improved communication as many players in the industry already offer information hubs on their websites or member portals, where employees can browse through the benefits they have.
When asked what was needed to be done to increase the likelihood of them using health and well-being benefits, the top answer (45 per cent) was being given a more comprehensive introduction to, or training on, the health and well-being benefits available. Around 44 per cent said they were in favor of being given more information on how to access health and well-being benefits and 35 per cent urged their employer’s leadership to communicate more clearly and more often.
“Our research shows that employees know great progress has been made by organizations in meeting their health and well-being needs,” said Healy. “But they need more clarity and consistency in the information delivered to them and, more importantly, a safe space where honest conversations about health and well-being are encouraged.”
