In 2020, the onslaught of a pandemic caused a massive shift in how we approach work. This shift quickly took hold of many workplace cultures. And while times may be uncertain, what is  certain is that the shift will continue for the foreseeable future.

In this new reality, the concept of a blended work-life world has a whole new meaning and employees are more stressed than ever. So employers should take the time to revisit their benefits programs to make sure their employees’ mental and physical health are supported during this new work era. Providing access to or promoting the use of effective tech apps is a popular and cost-effective way to do that.

What the #?$-work-from-home stress!

Let’s face it: COVID-19 upended our workplace world. Before we could fully understand the amount of emergency-supply toilet paper we actually needed without first succumbing to panic, the dining rooms of our homes turned into offices. Tables once reserved exclusively for evening meals were now partitioned into workspaces for multiple family members. Even patios, coffee shops, and sections of our bedrooms were taken up by laptops and perpetual video calls. And organizations—many that had resisted the idea before—bent to the need for more flexible and permanent WFH schedules for their employees.

This caused employees to be more stressed than ever, not only because they are sharing their workspace with their kids, but also because they are fearful they or someone they love might contract the coronavirus, and they are feeling isolated due to social distancing. According to MetLife’s Employee Benefit Trends Study of 2020, two out of three employees are more stressed now than in pre-COVID times. And 74 percent are concerned with at least one aspect of their health as a result of COVID-19.

Employees want tech to reduce stress

Employees want to feel supported, now more than ever. When employees have access to the tools they want, they are more productive and feel more successful in their jobs.

In fact, access to the latest technology and tools was found as being one of the main drivers for employees in the education, healthcare, finance and insurance, manufacturing, IT and professional industries, according to MetLife’s survey. Access to tech and tools are shown to reduce burnout, depression, and stress, and increase productivity, engagement, and loyalty.

A plethora of  mental health and fitness apps

In the new age of closed gyms, limited access to mental health providers, and social distancing, health and physical fitness apps have filled the gap. Virtual and streaming services and care provided through the convenience of mobile devices like smartphones have quickly taken the place of face-to-face services. In fact, in 2018 there were over 320,000 health and wellness apps on the market! And in the first two quarters of 2020, the number of health apps in the U.S. boomed by 21 percent. Apps for wellness is an emerging technology we are sure to see mature in 2021.

Let’s take mental health apps for starters. According to Human Resource Executive, 83 percent of employees want tech for their mental health concerns. They particularly like that through this digital channel they get help in a judgement-free zone from the convenience of home. And the marketplace has heeded the call. You can find apps for just about every type of mental and behavioral issue, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, OCD, and PTSD.

The problem is, with the proliferation of wellness apps, it’s hard to tell which are actually effective. One study found that only 14 percent of mental health apps include evidence of their efficacy. So if you are thinking about promoting a particular app as part of your wellness program, make sure to conduct your research.

Now let’s take a closer look at fitness apps. These have been overwhelmingly popular in 2020 and the trend is likely to continue. According to a recent poll, 74 percent of Americans tried a fitness app for the first time during the COVID quarantine of 2020. And they liked it so much they planned to keep it up. Sixty percent said they planned to cancel their gym memberships and turn their attention fully to at-home workouts. Additionally, respect for mindfulness and meditation through at home apps increased.

This might be helpful in your search for the right wellness app: SensorTower.com (a company that provides data insights into the app ecosystem) reports that these are the top grossing apps on the market today: Calm, Headspace, MyFitnessPal, and Strava.

3 tips to make at-home wellness work for your employees

So how do you make tech for wellness stick at your organization? Here are three tips to help you get started.

1. Use the existing budget. You don’t necessarily need to spend more on your benefits program to provide the wellness tools your employees may find beneficial. Consider moving your budget around. For example, you may want to take that money reserved for paying a fitness gym discount and spend it on a more robust wellness program that provides virtual fitness services. You can also review your current telehealth solution and see if there are better solutions that offer expanded services with minimal or no additional cost.
2. Make sure you are HIPAA-compliant. There are HIPAA rules regarding the use of ePHI (electronic protected health information) over an app. So make sure you are in compliance in regards to sending ePHI via undisclosed methods, obtaining consent from your employees before disclosing ePHI, and what vendors require a business agreement.
3. Whatever you do, communicate the benefits that are available! Not just once during open enrollment, but year round. Many employees didn’t understand the benefits that are available to them pre-COVID. This is now compounded by the fact that your employees may be feeling more disconnected from the workplace than ever due to the physical distancing.

It’s important to help them understand the value of the benefits as well as how to access them. Targeted messaging that meets your employees where they are is a great way to break through the distance.

After all the care you’ve put into crafting the best wellness tools for your employees, it would be a shame if they don’t take advantage of them!

First published by Ryan Nuckols on LinkedIn.