71% Employees Believe Workplace Concern for Wellbeing is on the Rise
According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, an increasing 71% of workers feel that their employers are more concerned about their mental health now than in the past. In line with this, GIG Gulf recently held a week-long inclusive event focusing on the wellbeing of its health policy members called MyWellness Week. The event was designed to inspire and educate participants on various aspects of holistic wellbeing, aligning with the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 UAE Government initiative.
MyWellness Week took a comprehensive approach to wellbeing, focusing on four key pillars: My Mind, My Relationships, My Success, and My Body. The event emphasized the importance of healthy workplaces, which typically result in greater productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and improved organizational outcomes.
Commenting on the initiative that inspired self-improvement among GIG Gulf’s members, Kimi Sokhi, Regional Wellbeing & Engagement Strategy Manager at GIG Gulf, said: “Changing mindsets is challenging. However, it starts with one thing – inspiration. Our goal is to inspire members to make positive changes in their lives through an engaging, relatable, and relevant online learning event that educates them on various dimensions of holistic wellbeing.”
This year’s event registered a massive surge in participation, with the overall registration rate seeing a 134% YoY increase, underscoring the growing emphasis on personal wellbeing. A survey conducted during the event showcased that 70% of the participants considered mental and emotional wellbeing as the most crucial aspect of personal wellbeing, further emphasizing the need for programs like MyWellness Week. The results also showed that workplace pressures or issues have negatively impacted the mental wellbeing of 74.45% of the participants at least sometimes in the last six months.
The importance of wellness initiatives like MyWellness Week cannot be overstated. Recent data from Forbes suggests every $1 invested in people saves $6 in company healthcare costs. Also, companies that prioritize employee wellness have higher employee engagement, productivity, and morale. “We are proud of our health Insured Members for their commitment and engagement during MyWellness Week. Our members’ Health is our top priority; we are eager to continue providing such a unique bespoke offering with practical tools that will help members prioritize their wellbeing,” added Haytham El Halabi, Regional Head of Client Benefits, Network Management & Regulatory Affairs at GIG Gulf.
GIG Gulf’s MyWellness Week 2023 has seen an impressive turnout with statistics showing a high level of engagement and a positive impact on attendees’ mindsets. Specific data points for this year’s event are as follows:
- Overall sessions rating average: 4.83 / 5
- Total registrations: 1,928
- Total attendees: 2,974
- Platform interactions: 38,000+
As companies become increasingly aware of the importance of employee wellbeing, GIG Gulf stands at the forefront of this evolution, providing its members with beneficial resources for their holistic wellbeing. MyWellness Week is just one of the many ways GIG Gulf is dedicated to nurturing the mental and physical health of its members in alignment with the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031.