Discovery Networks is rolling out a global stress awareness campaign after data from its private medical insurance (PMI) provider, PruHealth, identified stress as an issue among its workforce.
Roland Baskeyfield, international compensation and benefits manager at Discovery Networks, says: “We work closely with our PMI provider so we are furnished regularly with reports. Everything is anonymised, but we can see at a high level what claims are going through. It’s a useful barometer.”
After data highlighted stress as an issue for some staff, the organisation decided to address the issue proactively.
The stress awareness campaign, which will be rolled out in October to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, will, in the UK, include initiatives such as workplace yoga classes and time-management courses.
Using qualitative data
Discovery Networks also uses qualitative data to inform the design of its health and wellbeing strategy.
Jeanell English, global lifeworks and inclusion manager at Discovery Networks, says: “The important thing is to have a personal connection with employees. We ask employees what we can do differently and get feedback from them about creative ideas. Employee testimonials have a lot of value. You don’t want to force trends to appear [from data].”
Demographic data also plays a role in shaping its health and wellbeing strategy. “You can also look at employees’ age and the male-female split,” she says.
In the UK, for example, Discovery Networks has a younger employee population, so tailors its health and wellbeing policies to suit this demographic. Alongside benefits such as PMI, dental cover and life assurance, it also offers reflexology, courses on stress management and mindfulness, mole clinics and on-site fitness classes, including a weekly boot camp in the boardroom.
In July, Discovery Networks was named one of Britain’s Healthiest Companies.