How wellbeing support helps business attract and retain talent

Attracting and retaining talent in a competitive job market is an increasing challenge.

In 2024, salary packages alone are not enough, and with nearly three-quarters of employees believing now is a good time to look for a new role, a strong Employee Value Proposition (EVP) is essential for employers to win the war for talent.

So, what are employees looking for in their next role? According to our latest guide, with new data from Sonder* and Culture Amp†, more than half (54%) of Australian and New Zealand employees say access to wellbeing programs is a key factor when deciding where to work next.

Sonder provides comprehensive support for companies looking to position themselves as an employer of choice.

Our platform provides employees with 24/7 support with personal wellbeing assessments, self-serve wellbeing resources, medical advice, safety support and a live chat with registered health professionals. All of this ensures that holistic, preventative employee care is at the forefront of your EVP.

In this blog, we’ll examine how businesses are using Sonder’s early intervention program and preventative care resources to attract candidates and retain talent.

The job market has changed considerably since COVID. Now, flexible work arrangements, on-demand health and safety support, and tools to empower managers to lead engaged teams are crucial to attracting talent.

According to the latest insights from Jobs and Skills Australia, 56% of employers say they’ve encountered difficulty hiring staff, with 47% struggling to fill roles after recruiting for at least one month.

And yet, most companies don’t offer comprehensive wellbeing support. For those that do, it’s often hard to access for employees, with one-third* unaware of what wellbeing support is offered to them in the workplace.

It’s why more companies are now naming wellbeing as a key pillar of their EVP to attract the best talent and meet the needs of modern workers.

Big W, Woolworths, oOh! Media, Aurecon, Penten, Serco, Story House Early Learning, Australian Mining and Boral have all implemented Sonder’s proactive resources and 24/7 wellbeing support, bringing together mental health, medical advice, and safety support for employees.

Each business also includes access to Sonder as a benefit in their job ads and career pages. As a result, these companies are able to distinguish themselves as an employer of choice, winning over candidates in a competitive market.

With Sonder, employees have 24/7 access to Sonder’s resources and 1:1 support through a handy mobile app. Not only does this act as a centralised hub for everything to do with their health, safety and wellbeing, but it also improves accessibility to boost utilisation rates.

The best talent is getting more discerning when it comes to wellbeing programs, with employees actively prioritising companies that make it easy to gain personalised information across a broad range of concerns, from improving sleep habits all the way through to addressing urgent after-hours medical issues.

Here’s how Sonder is setting a new standard for employee care:

1. Tailored self-serve wellbeing resources

From guided meditations to tackle insomnia to courses to support strong time management skills, Sonder members can go from assessing their needs to proactively coaching themselves to better health in minutes.

Sonder’s resource library offers informative content for physical and mental health, allowing employees to gain tailored preventative support-even before they know what help they need.

2. Expert support 24/7

If employees want to discuss their health or medical concerns, Sonder connects them with an expert in seconds. Whether requiring assistance during the day or night, real-time care connects employees with health professionals, while a network of first responders is also available for urgent face-to-face support.

3. Easily accessible app

Seeking support shouldn’t be complex or complicated. With Sonder, our mobile app acts as a one-stop-shop for everything to do with an employee’s health, safety and wellbeing.

In one digital platform, employees can access a range of preventative care resources, from tailored wellbeing content to personalised check-ins to real-time care with health professionals, 24/7. As a result, Sonder removes the guesswork for employees when it comes to finding the resources available to them.

As a result, Sonder drives an average utilisation rate of +40%, much higher than standard employee assistance programs (usually around 3-5%).

Discover the emerging workplace trends that show how companies are winning the war for talent. Along with the latest data highlighting the benefit of building a winning EVP, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to strengthen your EVP to attract and retain talent.

Our ‘Winning The War For Talent’ guide shares:

• Survey data from 2,000+ employees and Sonder customers
• The risks of not investing in your EVP in a competitive job market
• How building a strong EVP can lower employee turnover, improve return on investment, and streamline recruitment
• Expert commentary on strategies to stay ahead of the competition with a strong EVP and communicate your offering with employer branding

Download now and discover how Sonder’s preventative care platform and responsive hands-on support can boost the health and safety of your employees and serve as a strong pillar of your winning EVP.

*Sonder data: September 2023, McGregor Tan survey of employees in Australia and New Zealand who were working a minimum of 30 hours per week.

† Culture Amp data: Live global Culture Amp data, covering 1.7m employees globally, supplied June 2024.

Sonder is a technology company that helps organisations improve the wellbeing of their people so they perform at their best. Our mobile app provides immediate, 24/7 support from a team of safety, medical, and mental health professionals – plus onsite help for time-sensitive scenarios. Accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS), our platform gives leaders the insights they need to act on tomorrow’s wellbeing challenges today.