APRIL 2023HR TECH OUTLOOK8The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the growing mental health crisis and the impact on the workforce at companies across the globe. Throughout the pandemic, Hollister Incorporated, an independent, employee-owned company that develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products globally, demonstrated that the health and safety of our employees and their families is our top priority. This includes both their physical and mental health. Studies show that alleviating work-related stress, anxiety, and burnout can boost productivity, energy, and creativity among employees. Identifying and reacting to the changing mental health and wellbeing needs of our employee population resulting from the pandemic motivated Hollister to improve our existing wellbeing resources and discover emerging resources that address the needs of our employees. What did Hollister do differently?Hollister consistently monitored external trends related to mental health during the pandemic and listened as some employees shared the mental health challenges they were facing. We then looked for ways to enhance our existing wellbeing program through year-round initiatives and training to better support employees, managers, and our Corporate Human Resources Team. We began by challenging our Employee Assistance and Work/Life Program (EAP) vendor to identify new and existing benefits to offer to our workforce aligned with market leading trends. EAPs are commonly offered by employers as an added no-cost benefit to guide employees and their household members through various work/life challenges such as childcare, legal consulting, pet care, senior care, and stress management in the form of confidential counseling. Commonly, employees are unaware of the resources available to them or are concerned about their specific use of the EAP being reported to their employer despite the services being offered confidentially. We found that larger scale benefit initiatives such as Total Reward Statements or Annual Enrollment serve as yearly reminders of the resources available to employees, Kelsey Kilcoyne, Benefits Payroll & Wellness Associate Specialist, Hollister IncorporatedByMENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING: ENHANCING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENTKelsey Kilcoyne
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