WebMD Health Services

The key to attracting and retaining the best employees is to create a workplace that supports everyone—here’s how.

Tens of thousands of job cuts have recently rocked the professional landscape (specifically the tech industry). While many large companies have been cutting back, midsize companies all across the country are taking advantage and hiring workers who have recently been let go.

There is still a competitive hiring environment out there, and employers need to get more creative if they want to attract and retain top talent. Not only do employees want to feel invested in what they’re doing, they also crave a sense of belonging, flexibility and growth.

And we need them.

A company is only as good as its people. Great employees offer fresh perspectives, big ideas and creative energy that businesses need to grow and stay relevant.

In order to attract and retain employees who are at the top of their game, we must create a work environment that prioritizes well-being and innovation. They’re critical for the longevity and health of our businesses.

Need some inspiration on (re)shaping your work environment? Here are six ideas to consider:

1. Provide Easy Access to a Wide Range of Mental Health Resources. Health and well-being is not limited to talk therapy and meditation apps. As employers, we need to understand that mental health is not a one-size-fits-all matter. We offer digital solutions to help people create daily habits for “coping with the blues,” group coaching to create meaningful connections, one-on-one coaching to support those individuals needing focused support, mental health podcasts for mental health education and even mental health manager training to prepare and train managers in recognizing mental health challenges. Consider how mental health can be more than just checking the box for your organization.

2. Financial Wellness is An Essential Dimension of Well-Being. Right now, the financial health of employees is at an all-time high as financial stress remains a prevalent issue with far-reaching implications. At WebMD Health Services, we strive to empower people to create a personal plan, improve financial skills and track progress toward their financial goals. Organizations that provide individualized financial wellness education can help employees improve their financial literacy.

3. Offer Employees Flexibility to Work When and Where They Choose. Arguably, flexible work arrangements is one of the most talked about aspects of the employee experience post-pandemic. Consider flexibility one of the key characteristics of the future of work. Working remotely is not a perk, it’s a necessity to allow people to have more “me time.” A ManpowerGroup Solutions survey found that “nearly 40 percent of global candidates report that schedule flexibility is now among the top three factors they consider when making career decisions.”

With hybrid work, organizations need to consider new strategies and approaches to deliver a connected culture, human leadership and more flexible work schedules. Businesses can offer employees a set number of days to work from any location of their choosing while requesting a specific day in the office for meaningful connections, and culture building.

4. Grow Skills and Support Continued Education. The only way we grow collectively is to invest continuously in our people. Businesses can offer reimbursement programs for continued education including certification programs, MBA, PhD, but also vocational and trade courses and programs. Consider virtual events and classes that support individual growth in job skills and innovation. Have employees report back and share their learnings to the broader team, creating a Train the Trainer approach.

The key to attracting and retaining the best employees is to create a workplace that supports everyone

5. Expand Opportunities to Help Employees Build Friendships Within the Company. Did you know that the number one reason people leave their company is to find greater fulfillment (Edelman, 2021)? In fact, people with a best friend at work are seven times as likely to engage fully in their work ( PwC, 2019). So what kind of steps can organizations take to facilitate and encourage work relationships? WebMD Health Services has implemented peer coaching - a process connects two collogues across the organization who have similar purpose drivers to engage in deeper conversations on a bi-weekly basis. This program has been hugely successful with our own employees.

6. Get Creative About Time Off. Being “sick” should not be the only time people get to take a break. Stress, self-care, burnout or needing a mental health day – sometimes we need to take a break to reset. Allowing employees paid time off days to be used for more than an illness, but as a much-needed break, can not only empower them to come back with a greater level of energy or feeling less stressed, but also sends a message about the importance of prioritizing their mental health. Recognizing the importance of taking a personal day off does not require a change in policy. It’s more about being supportive and encouraging time off without a specific reason so employees their self-care is a priority.

I encourage every business executive and director who leads a team to think of ways they can bring inspiration and fulfillment to the workplace. There’s never been a better time to foster an environment both you and your employees will thrive in.

Employees want to be seen, heard, and valued for being their authentic selves. In our ever-shifting world, they want connection and to feel supported and encouraged in work and in life. Employees expect this to be reflected in #workplacewellbeing programs.

If you are a leader of a team or an organization, you need to help people be the best versions of themselves, whether they’re at work or at home.

When we do this, we get happier, healthier employees in return.

At WebMD Health Services we are on a mission to empower #wellbeing in everyone. I simply can't imagine anything our world needs more. #leadershipmindset