Why Employees Fail to Use Employer-Paid Health & Wellness Benefits in Stressful Situations: A CloudMD Study

Stress is one of the most common work-related issues that can lead to a variety of physical and mental health problems. Despite this, many employees fail to take advantage of employer-paid health and wellness benefits when faced with a high-stress environment. A new study by CloudMD has identified the reasons why this is the case.

Background

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of employee health and wellness. Employers are now offering a range of benefits, from gym memberships to counseling services, to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. However, despite these offerings, employees often fail to take advantage of them when they need them the most.

The Study

The CloudMD study surveyed 1000 full-time employees across Canada to identify the reasons why they fail to use employer-paid health and wellness benefits in stressful situations. The study found that:

Lack of Awareness

One of the biggest reasons employees fail to take advantage of employer-paid health and wellness benefits is simply a lack of awareness. Many employees don’t know about the benefits available to them or don’t understand how to use them effectively.

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

Another significant barrier to using health and wellness benefits is the lingering stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. Many employees are afraid to seek help for fear of being perceived as weak, or worry that their job will be at risk if their employer finds out they are struggling.

Time Constraints

Employees often have busy schedules that make it difficult to fit in appointments or take advantage of wellness benefits during work hours. The study found that more than half of employees said they would be more likely to use these benefits if they were available outside of normal business hours.

The Bottom Line

The CloudMD study highlights some of the key reasons why employees fail to take advantage of employer-paid health and wellness benefits. These findings suggest that employers could benefit from taking a more proactive approach to promoting these benefits and educating their employees about how to use them effectively. By addressing the barriers to access, employers can help their employees better manage stress and promote overall health and well-being.

Summary

Employees often fail to use employer-paid health and wellness benefits in stressful situations due to a lack of awareness, the stigma surrounding mental health, and time constraints. Employers could benefit from promoting these benefits and educating their employees about how to use them.

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