How One Company Makes Timeless Values Relevant in the Modern Work Environment

BY Nzingha Hall | May 02, 2023

How do business leaders think about wellness? Some might believe that wellness starts and ends with providing benefits such as paid time off, maternity leave, health insurance, and gym memberships. But, more holistically speaking, how can the individual wellness of employees benefit the overall wellness of an organization? Why should wellness be prioritized?

In a fireside chat at From Day One’s 2023 Atlanta conference, moderator Kelly Yamanouchi, a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, spoke with Jeri Hawthorne, chief human resources officer of Aflac, about how one of the largest insurance carriers in the world makes wellness a cultural and business imperative.

They also discussed the impact of the pandemic on staff and leadership. Aflac ultimately made the decision to work virtually. Although many employees had enjoyed the camaraderie of an in-person workplace, this change was a key way in which Aflac prioritized employee wellness.

“At our headquarters in Columbus, Georgia, we had to lock the buildings and cut off badge access and close the gates, because employees loved being on site so much,” Hawthorne recalled. But, she says, now that in-person, remote, and hybrid arrangements are in play, employees have an authentic Aflac experience no matter where they work.

“We’ve also made a lot of investments in technology and are planning to continue to make those investments,” she said. “So, if you are an employee of our organization, regardless of where you are, you have a positive experience as it relates to team effectiveness, communication, and engaging one another.”

Aflac took the necessary steps to make wellness a part of workplace culture. Now the company asks employees to complete annual surveys related to wellness. What are the needs? What works? What doesn’t work? The company invests in all forms of health, not just physical health, but emotional and mental health. Hawthorne explains that companies can see direct benefits by making wellness a vital business principle. “Our emphasis on wellness is not just about the benefit of getting our employees well,” she said. “There are absolutely business benefits: lower absenteeism, higher engagement, higher output, and higher quality of output for our customers. All of those factors impact our employee experience and our customer experience.”

Aflac created programs that focused on healthy eating and autonomous holistic weight loss. These initiatives built strength and trust in the organization and encouraged people to interact and engage. There has also been an emphasis on financial and social wellness. “We want people to grow and develop,” Hawthorne said.

Aflac has even invested in spiritual health. They chartered a collaboration with Corporate Chaplains of America, a non-denominational organization that provides spiritual support for businesses. The partnership provides spiritual guidance for employees of various religions and helps Aflac leadership “understand the challenges that our employees are facing.”

Wellness is a cultural value and essential workplace tenet. Employees want to know that their health is prioritized. They also want to be involved in a company that understands the importance of taking care of oneself. Aflac has shown that the results speak volumes: A healthy workforce and healthy work environment are best for business.

Nzingha Hall is a journalist, public speaker, and DEI facilitator in Atlanta, Ga.

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