The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic introduced more companies than ever to the world of working from home! Even after many restrictions were lifted, many employees stayed as remote workers.

Workplaces have also started shifting to a hybrid workplace model. This model keeps employees safe and maintains in-person company culture. The hybrid workplace model also challenges employers to offer flexible wellness benefits. 

It can be difficult for employers to know what hybrid workplace benefits look like. While navigating hybrid wellness benefits is daunting, it is especially necessary today so that employees remain well supported.

Why Are Hybrid Benefits Important?

Holistic wellness benefits are especially important today to care for employees' mental health. The pandemic has brought an increase in mental health difficulties. Nearly 40% of adults in the US reported having anxiety symptoms or depressive disorder symptoms. From January to July of 2019, only 10% of adults reported these symptoms.  

Companies must put effort into their hybrid wellness benefits, as the hybrid work environment is here to stay. Approximately 74% of U.S. companies use or are planning to use a hybrid work model. Employees are also looking for more work-from-home opportunities. This is shown by the 55% of employees that want work-from-home jobs where they work remotely for at least 3 days a week.

Companies have the chance to care for an employee's myriad of needs with a hybrid wellness program. As companies care for in-person and remote workers, they can improve their productivity. In fact, some 86% of employees who were treated for their depression have improved performance.

It has also been found that treatment of depression increases presenteeism from 40% to 60%. To reap these benefits, companies need to understand what hybrid wellness benefits look like, and follow other companies' leads. 

What Do Hybrid Benefits Look Like?

Hybrid workplaces emanate flexibility and accessibility, and hybrid wellness programs must do the same. The intricacies of each wellness program may look different for each company, but there are a few basics to include. These basics are online and in-person program options and prominent use of today’s technology.

Easy-to-navigate apps help employees quickly find the programs that work for them so that employees can have a simpler time choosing what programs they want to use. An ideal hybrid wellness benefits package cares for holistic needs, like mental health, general physical wellbeing, and other medical issues.

Some specific examples of hybrid wellness benefits include:

• Telehealth options – Giving employees the option to schedule online doctor’s appointments. This can be for physicians, specialists, or mental health practitioners.
• Home office assistance – Remote employees need a space at home to focus. Improve employee morale by helping them build their office!
• Remote work communities – Access to a space for employees to connect and interact with other remote employees can help alleviate some of these feelings of isolation. This can mean dedicated programs or even just social media groups.
• Virtual/remote plus in-person fitness – Offerings like fitness trackers, virtual fitness class subscriptions, and even tech such as VR headsets help employees work out at home. By providing a hybrid fitness benefit that gives access to both digital and in-person offering, employees have a choice in how they want to stay active.

What Are Other Companies Doing?

While hybrid wellness initiatives are somewhat new to the wellness world, they are becoming more commonplace. Large companies are using hybrid wellness to keep current employees engaged, and to entice new employees. 

Companies like Wayfair, Samsung, and Sap have all joined Peloton’s Corporate Wellness program. These companies did not have the resources to offer hybrid wellness benefits on their own. However, this program allows employees access to Peloton’s app and many fitness benefits.

Dominion Energy is also making big moves in the hybrid wellness space. Their benefits focus on health coaching. Employees have resources for weight loss, stress and can even access an online program to help quit smoking. There is even a 24-hour nurse line and pregnant employees can use these programs for help during their pregnancy and even after childbirth.

These companies show that wellness extends beyond physical health and singular issues. Offering benefits like guitar or cooking lessons, and financial planners help employees make the most out of their life goals.

What Can Your Company Do?

The key factor in offering wellness benefits is listening to employees’ needs. If not communicated with, at-home workers can feel disconnected and unheard compared to in-person employees. Make an effort to foster communication and listen to every employee’s needs. This can alleviate some of those feelings of isolation that come with a remote job.

If companies do not have the resources to offer hybrid wellness programs, they can partner with Peerfit! Peerfit emphasizes all-around wellbeing for both in-person and remote employees, providing for physical fitness, as well as mindfulness and mental health. This includes digital fitness programs, access to a network of in-person gyms and studios, and even nutritional plans! 

Wrapping Up

The pandemic has affected employees' mental health, but hybrid wellness benefits can improve employee morale and increase productivity. Companies can offer more flexible and accessible wellness benefits online and in-person to boost their wellness benefits. As hybrid workplaces are here to stay, a partner like Peerfit can help companies small and large provide holistic benefits for all employees.