Leading Canadian companies are taking the well-being of their employees to heart. They are working hard to integrate and adapt employee wellness programs that will help support holistic wellness and mental health. Here are some current trends that human capital management (HCM) professionals can embrace to better support mental health and wellness needs in the workplace and inspire anyone looking to better meet their employees' mental health needs.

The big picture of wellness solutions

Wellness has evolved beyond physical health. Progressive organizations showcase their commitment to their staff by embracing health programs geared toward mental health, physical health, financial wellness and more. Staff from one of Canada's Top 100 Employers told HCM Dialogue that their employer "is working toward integrating activity into everyday work experiences, supporting physical activity as a break during the workday and recognizing a broader definition of wellness that moves beyond the traditional 'gym' model." Other offerings they would like to see integrated into their workplace wellness include additional timing options and virtual classes to meet the schedules of shift workers.

Customized wellness plans to increase productivity

One-size-fits-all approaches to wellness plans are becoming a thing of the past. HCM professionals can gain valuable insights by surveying employees about their wellness wants and needs and investigating what wellness offerings are most popular among their plans to tailor their offerings to what employees want. Better support for employee health and happiness, in turn, leads to higher productivity. Such efforts show employees that, organizationally, they are a priority.

A laboratory study conducted by the University of Warwick Department of Economics revealed that happiness makes people about 12 percent more productive. Dr. Eugenio Proto, one of the study leads, said, "We have shown that happier subjects are more productive; the same pattern appears in four different experiments. This research will provide some guidance for management in all kinds of organizations; they should strive to make their workplaces emotionally healthy for their workforce."

AI-powered wellness

Some workplaces are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and piloting AI wellness programs to help guide staff toward healthier lifestyles. AI can enhance employee wellness surveys by sorting through health data, individual preferences and behaviours to build or customize better wellness programs. Such programs can also help employees identify health risks early, provide suggestions to mitigate them and create individual fitness plans to meet employee goals. It should be noted that anyone implementing AI-powered wellness initiatives should ensure the privacy of their staff and test the AI algorithms for biases that will limit their overall effectiveness and uptake by employees.

Shutting down the news cycle

The constant news cycle can have a detrimental impact on our health. With a sensationalized and highly politicized news cycle, it can be easy to get sucked into hours of doomscrolling each day. A 2022 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Health Communication showcased that problematic news consumption substantially increases the risk of poor mental wellness. It also makes us less effective in the workplace. Experts recommend that if you must consume news, particularly in the morning, tuning in to empowering, solutions-focused news programming can help you maintain a positive and productive work environment.

While many of us rely on news to make decisions personally and professionally, we can all benefit from reducing our consumption. If your workplace has a television running, whether in the breakroom, reception or main lobby, it might be time to change the channel from a news station to something else or turn it off altogether. Alternatives to news content on common area screens can include inspirational quotes, company-wide communication or health and wellness tips like stretches. For break rooms, experts suggest content that is entertaining but not too engrossing (like movies or narrative television shows). Solid alternatives include cooking shows or nature documentaries.

Promoting conversation and getting help

Corporate culture goes beyond lip service. It needs to be lived and breathed from the top down to create a positive impact on the overall health and wellness of the people an organization relies on. Management needs to develop programs that reflect that people are cared about.

Normalizing conversation about mental health and promoting programs available through corporate wellness programs, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), are all good steps toward moving wellness conversations into action. HCM professionals can use their influence to ensure that mental wellness and health in the workplace become a regular practice. Our health depends on it.





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