Survey of Human Resource Executives and Office Workers Suggests Employee Health May be a Key Ingredient to Addressing the "Great Resignation"
"2022 Health at Work" report from
"2022 Health at Work," a report from
Among the findings: Two-thirds of employees (66%) say they are thinking about changing jobs next year or have begun or recently completed a job change. More than 3 in 4 (78%) of human resources leaders say their organization has been impacted by the "Great Resignation," and 90% believe they will have to improve benefit packages and increase wages. And yet, over seven in ten (72%) HREs surveyed also say it is likely there will be a recession that will impact hiring in the next year.
"While there has been significant attention on low pay, lack of flexibility, and disrespect at work as main reasons driving the 'Great Resignation,' our findings suggest employee health programs play a major role as well," said
Among the key findings, there was strong agreement--87% of HREs and 89% of employees--that health insurance is too expensive, and that the pandemic's effects on health will drive costs even higher. And while large majorities believe that companies should pay for most healthcare costs, just over one third of employees (35%) and almost half of HREs (46%) say that employees need to pay more. Costs loom large for a substantial majority of HREs, who appreciate the financial burden of healthcare costs borne by employees. More than three quarters (77%) of HREs want to lower these costs but say they don't have the tools they need to do that. In fact, 63% feel "overwhelmed about making the best choices for our employees."
Chronic Conditions Now Rival COVID-19 as a Top Concern
Throughout the worst of the pandemic, more than half (56%) of HREs had to manage sick workers, implement safety policies and manage hybrid/remote work transitions, among other challenges. Now, the prospect that employees are beset by other illnesses is a point of concern for HREs. Nearly three quarters (73%) express worry that their employees may be sick with chronic illnesses because they haven't had wellness checks during the pandemic.
The concerns appear warranted: Three in five (63%) of employees say they put off routine medical appointments and/or screening over the past two years and about three-quarters (77%) say preventive healthcare is hard to perform during the pandemic.
Other research, including Health Trends® studies by
The report also suggests that employers are increasingly prioritizing mental health, with 84% of HREs expressing concern about their employees' mental health, nearly the same proportion, 85%, who express concern about employees' physical health.
"Our report highlights the strategic importance of employer-based healthcare strategies that deliver comprehensive mental and physical health benefits," said
Health Screening Programs are Essential to Being an Employer of Choice, Despite Some Doubts About Cost Savings
Employee health screening is seen as a must-have benefit to be an employer of choice, even by those who question its ability to lower medical costs. Ninety percent of HREs and 89% of employees believe that health screening programs are essential for a company to be considered an employer of choice that attracts and keeps talent–despite more than 68% of both groups questioning if these programs lower medical costs.
The survey findings also suggest that at-home screenings and telehealth can expand access to healthcare. Eighty-seven percent of both groups are comfortable with at-home biometric testing, and 76% of employees said if they could do it at-home they would have more screenings. However, 66% of HREs and 74% of employees believe that such measures can only complement, but not replace, in-person screenings.
Despite largely favorable perspectives of employer-based health services, more than half of employees (55%) are concerned about their employers being too involved in their healthcare and more than two thirds (67%) don't want their employers to know the results of their screenings or tests.
About Quest Diagnostics
Through its employee population health services,
www.QuestDiagnostics.com and www.QuestDiagnostics.com/EmployerPopulationHealth
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