Value of investment (VoI) includes increased awareness about health and health programmes, improved employee engagement and better brand recall for the organisation
It’s a fact that all in life can’t be measured by money especially health, well-being and happiness.
Having said that how does one measure the effectiveness in a business scenario, when there is a regular investment that goes into it. Businesses have increased their spends on employee well-being and health to have a fitter and healthier workforce. Now, how does one measure the return on investment (RoI)?
In fact, looking at the RoI may not be the right approach. Instead, one should use the metrics of VoI (value of investment). Technology company Cognizant has derived a similar approach. To evaluate its employee wellness programme, Congnizant focusses on the short-term value of investment (VoI).
Cognizant’s holistic wellness programme includes five major dimensions — physical activity, prevention and screening, stress management, nutrition and wellbeing.
This VoI is derived from a holistic approach towards ensuring healthy and happy employees. The holistic wellness programme includes five major dimensions — physical activity, prevention and screening, stress management, nutrition and wellbeing.
By making all these dimensions a part of their wellness programme called ‘Live Well’, Cognizant aims to ensure the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of its employees. A holistic wellness programme encompasses a wide range of initiatives, spanning various aspects of employee wellness. This enables the organisation to address the most common health-related challenges faced by employees, and motivates them to develop a healthy work–life balance.
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Talking of the benefits of deploying a wholesome wellness plan, Satish Jeyaraman, vice president, human resources, Cognizant, says, “The higher short-term value of investment (VOI) includes increased awareness about health and health programmes, improved employee engagement and better brand recall for the organisation.” The short-term VoI is what results in long-term benefits such as “improved productivity and better health metrics, leading to reduced healthcare costs,” he adds.
Cognizant organises a 12-week Health Challenge – a gamified approach to wellness and wellbeing. More than 21,000 associates across India have already participated in this year’s programme.
Jeyaraman believes that a holistic wellness programme should create awareness, bring about positive behavioural changes and help achieve wellness goals. It should look at addressing the needs or concerns of employees across demographics. He also shares that some of the ways to achieve specific health goals include meditation and heart-fullness programmes for stress management, Zumba sessions for physical activity, ergonomics awareness and provision of special/customised furniture on request to help associates handle musculo-skeletal issues, and CPR training.
Under the five dimensions of the programme, Cognizant organises Taichi or Yoga sessions that address the physical aspects of wellness, while the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) supports associates with one-on-one psychological counselling. In fact, as part of its emotional wellbeing programme, Cognizant conducted over 250 Yoga and meditation workshops and sessions on stress management at its offices across India, in the last 12 months.
In addition, Cognizant organises a 12-week Health Challenge, which is focussed on overall lifestyle management and includes diet, exercises, Yoga and Stepathlon. Its gamified approach to wellness and wellbeing has facilitated easier and better adoption, so much so, that more than 21,000 associates across India have already participated in this year’s programme.
“The holistic wellness programme has helped us make people more aware of personal health and has enabled the company to further strengthen employee engagement. For instance, workplace Taichi sessions have boosted physical wellness by helping associates overcome sedentary work schedules,” Jeyaraman shares.
That’s not all! In addition to the annual company-sponsored master health check-up packages for employees, Cognizant conducts regular onsite medical camps across locations to identify and address ailments, such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Jeyaraman also shares that the company cares for its women employees and has a specialised Healthy Pregnancy programme, which includes webinars and physical exercises during and after pregnancy, medical camps and self-defense sessions.
That said, Live Well is a classic example of a holistic wellness plan that covers almost all aspects that can impact the well-being of a person. This one is not a one-off initiative but an ongoing drive—a way of life for people at Cognizant. And, Jeyaraman again puts the spotlight on the benefits of a well-knit holistic plan as he concludes, “These programmes have not only helped us bring down the cost of healthcare but have also resulted in happy, healthy and motivated employees.”