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Corporate leaders are desperate to make sure the costly benefits workers increasingly expect actually generate positive outcomes like higher productivity and engagement. That squeeze is particularly evident with well-being support, where there's a high discrepancy between what workers want and what companies are offering.
Earlier this year, Marsh McLennan, a professional services firm and parent company of HR consulting firm Mercer, rolled out “@YourBest,” an app that provides individually tailored well-being recommendations and services to employees. As of November, more than 20% of Marsh McLennan’s 85,000 employees have used the platform. For comparison, utilization rates for employee assistance programs typically trend at below 10%.
After signing up for the app, employees complete an assessment that churns out customized recommendations to enhance well-being. The process is akin to that of styling services like Stitch Fix, which recommends personalized clothing and accessory products based on a user's preferences.
“Embracing that human and digital health delivery, like promoting virtual care benefits, is something that we found grew during the pandemic,” says Carmen Fernandez, Marsh McLennan’s chief people officer. “More and more colleagues want to have the same experience that they have outside of work, inside work.”
Recommendations include advice on jumpstarting financial savings, hydration tips, and gratitude how-tos. The platform also encourages users to take advantage of benefits offerings.
“It is meant to be their one-stop shop for all well-being questions, issues, and needs that cross mental, financial, and social [topics],” says Fernandez.
There’s also a gamification aspect to help engage employees. Users can earn points on the platform, for example, by participating in different activities, which they can use to unlock additional activities and partake in challenges with colleagues.
On the employer end, Fernandez says the platform gives her team insight into the well-being support employees most crave, such as building resilience and navigating through uncertain times. "We have the ability to understand, through the well-being assessment, what the needs are of our colleagues. And then we pulse that regularly to understand how those are evolving."
Paige McGlauflin
paige.mcglauflin@fortune.com
@paidion
