Health on Demand 2021: Asia

Employers who show they care have an advantage

Our latest study of over 14,000 employees across the globe, of which 4,000 were in Asia, looked at how employers can impact positively on the health of their people. Do you know which benefits matter most to your employees now? Do you know how to best support them in this challenging environment?

Our report identified five ways for employers to support employee health and well-being. Download the infographic.

Support the moments that matter

Employees in Asia who felt well-supported by employers were less likely (21%) to view their pandemic experience as mostly negative compared to employees who did not feel supported (49%). Hence, companies can modernize benefits and enhance physical, social, financial and emotional well-being support to boost engagement and resilience.

Provide varied and valued benefits

In Asia, employees who had access to ten or more well-being resources through their employer were 24 percentage points less likely to move to another employer, 26 percentage points more confident they can get the healthcare they need and 15 percentage points more energized than those offered no resources. Therefore, the more diverse health, risk protection and well-being resources you offer, the more loyal and productive your workforce will feel.

Enable digital access to healthcare

Nine out of ten Asia respondents intend to use digital well-being solutions, such as video calls to their doctor and well-being apps to help them find healthcare support and self-manage conditions. It is thus important to ensure benefit plans facilitate, cover and encourage virtual care if seamless access is not otherwise available. Increase the use of quality health and wellbeing resources and apps.

Invest in mental health

One in two employees in Asia (51%) report feeling at least somewhat stressed every day. However, only 14% of the employees who felt most supported by their employer said they were likely to be highly or extremely stressed, compared to 26% of those who received poor support. Businesses in Asia can support this aspect of their employees’ need by providing a comprehensive range of mental health supports to expand prevention and treatment, boost emotional health and reduce everyday stress levels.

Deliver benefits equitably

Higher-earners are better able to access medical coverage, income protection and mental health counselling than lower-earners. Three in ten employees with incomes below the median (30%) said they were not confident they could access the healthcare they and their families needed. Hence, consider the needs of disadvantaged groups to ensure those most in need of support are eligible for and can access benefits. Ensure programs support all cohorts of employees, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants and people with disabilities.