Cigna Healthcare launches new wellbeing initiative for expats

New research from global health service company Cigna Healthcare reveals almost nine in ten (88%) of UK employees are displaying signs of burnout as almost half (47%) admit their employer prioritises productivity over staff mental health and wellbeing.

Employee burnout often leads to chronic illnesses and mental health issues, and with over three quarters (78%) of workers reporting that they’re stressed, and a fifth of stressed workers admitting they’re less productive as a result, Cigna Healthcare is calling for organisations to place employee health at the heart of growth and profits. 

The new initiative, Your Health Plan, Your Growth Plan is aimed at UK SME’s and multinational companies who have expat employees. The plan aims to support and inspire businesses to prioritise the health of their workforce, which in turn can help increase productivity, vitality, retention, and performance – and ultimately lead to business growth. 

Jason Sadler, President, International Health, Cigna Healthcare said: “The current climate is challenging, and many businesses are facing recessionary cost pressures, but we are seeing out of hours working and burnout become the ‘norm’. This impacts productivity, retention, and the bottom line. Employee health is imperative for any business to succeed and it’s crucial that businesses stop being blindsided by growth and start to recognise this.”

To help businesses successfully implement a health plan and begin prioritising employee health as well as growth, Cigna Healthcare has identified some top tips:

1. Be flexible, not dictatorial, especially with working hours

2. Build an empathetic culture that allows people to open-up about physical and mental issues

3. Keep up with digital trends and use remote, virtual health tools

4. Take a long-term view, supporting employees in their health journey by offering preventative care, as well as reactive cover

5. Use rewards to drive healthier behaviours.

This comes after Cigna recently launched a dedicated hub for expats, which includes information on healthcare systems, wellbeing tools, and advice on living and working overseas.