The pandemic indeed drove a paradigm shift in the corporate wellness ecosystem. With unrivalled events such as the Great Resignation shifting the narrative in the workplace, business leaders and managers are identifying the nuances of corporate wellness and how traditional programs alone may not move the needle in building a healthy and resilient workforce.
In this interview with Corporate Wellness Magazine, Yolanda Menegazzo, CEO of LagomHR discusses these shifts in the corporate wellness space and what the future holds for the industry.
How important is well-being to you personally?
Physical and emotional well-being is incredibly important to me personally. I believe it helps me to be the best version of myself as a wife, mother, daughter, friend, and working professional. It helps me to feel confident in my abilities to tackle life's challenges as well as enjoy everything positive life has to offer.
What change have you noticed over the last year with corporate wellness?
I find that corporate wellness in the last year is incorporating more benefits and support towards mental health. The "taboo" of mental health is slowly, but surely, starting to become more acceptable and less criticized.
Where do you see the industry headed?
I see the industry heading slowly in the direction where employers invest more resources towards employee health and wellness. There is proof that employee wellness programs support team building, recruitment efforts, retention efforts, and overall employee satisfaction. I think that organizations need to get more creative with their strategies for being an employer of choice because competition for talent is fierce, and wellness programs are a great place to start.
What are the most important focus areas for you in corporate wellness for the upcoming year?
The most important focus areas for corporate wellness for the upcoming year are lowering health insurance costs through a strong wellness program and introducing better mental health benefits coverage.
If you could give our readers one piece of advice regarding wellness programs, what would it be?
The one piece of advice regarding wellness programs would be that wellness programs can be funded through various sources and these programs can be relatively inexpensive depending on your level of creativity. Therefore, don't be scared to start a wellness program because of limited funds. Get sponsors and get creative. You can do A LOT with a little budget. Once the program catches the attention of Management and employees, the program will grow including the funding opportunities.
Why did you go through the CCWS program?
I went through the CCWS program because I wanted to be a specialist in this field. It is not a common certification and I think it places HR professionals in a superior category. I find that some HR professionals are not well-versed in health benefits and wellness. HR professionals should take this program to be more well-rounded and deliver better service to their organizations.
What was the most valuable takeaway of the CCWS program for you?
I believe the biggest takeaway from the CCWS program was that employee wellness programs should not just be an initiative, but instead it should be imbedded into the organization's culture. It should be a part of the employee advertisements, onboarding and orientation, and a factor throughout the employee's tenure with the organization.
