In This Post:
Presenters:
Abbe Hoffman
Product Manager & Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Forward-thinking organizations understand that fostering a culture of health is a strategic necessity that’s key to boosting productivity, increasing engagement and attracting top talent. Optum Workplace Well-being is leading this charge by helping employers implement population health strategies that deliver a measurable impact across the employee experience.
Last week’s Meet a Vendor webinar began with a unique introduction: a one-minute mindfulness practice led by Abbe Hoffman, Product Manager and Mental Health First Aid Instructor at Optum. Abbe demonstrated how a bit of self-care can help us recharge during a busy workday. Following this, she presented on transforming workplace well-being through a whole-person, whole-body approach, with a deeper dive into population health and mental well-being services.
About Optum
Optum Workplace Well-being is a part of the greater Optum Enterprise, with a mission to empower employees to take control of their health through a comprehensive suite of wellness programs that promote healthy behavior change and drive lasting engagement.
With holistic wellness programming tailored to elevate well-being across the organization, from physical fitness to mental resilience, Optum Workplace Well-being helps employers build a thriving workforce. They provide a customized experience with personalized training routines, wellness resources and population health programs that can engage employees beyond the workplace as well.
Why Population Health Matters in the Workplace
According to the Business Group on Health’s 2024 report, 94% of employers view health and wellness programs as crucial, and 89% believe these programs enhance workforce engagement. These numbers make it clear: wellness is a business imperative.
Optum Workplace Well-being addresses this need by supporting organizations in building comprehensive well-being programs with strategies rooted in population health principles. This ensures that every employee, from remote to office staff, receives the support they need to thrive.
A Holistic Approach to Wellness
Optum Workplace Well-being’s programs are intentionally designed to promote healthy behaviors across all aspects of employee life. Their services include:
- Population health strategy development, managed by dedicated program managers
- Mental health support through programming and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training
- One-on-one and group lifestyle coaching tailored to individual goals
- Nutrition counseling and education, including food and beverage consulting
- Fitness and ergonomic services, from on-site exercise specialists to app-based workouts
By incorporating these diverse elements, Optum Workplace Well-being empowers organizations to align wellness programming with corporate goals, culture and workforce needs.
Strategic Program Management: The Engine Behind Engagement
Central to Optum Workplace Well-beings’ approach are its dedicated Program Managers. They serve as consultants and strategic partners for clients. By working together with clients, Program Managers help:
- Align well-being initiatives with business goals
- Create referral points between vendors and internal teams
- Customize communications and promotions based on employee personas
- Measure participation, satisfaction and outcomes to refine strategies
Their approach ensures that every well-being initiative is thoughtful, inclusive and impactful.
Mental Health: A Non-Negotiable Priority
Workplace stress is at an all-time high. According to national surveys, 77% of employees report experiencing negative mental health impacts related to work stress. What’s more, 87% of workers believe their employer’s actions could positively influence their mental well-being.
Recognizing this, Optum Workplace Well-being has developed robust mental health strategies delivered by dedicated Mental Well-being Specialists. These experts drive anti-stigma campaigns, facilitate stress management education, and deliver MHFA training designed to equip employees with the tools to support peers in crisis.
One powerful example shared during the webinar involved an employee reaching out to an MHFA-certified colleague about a suicidal family member. Thanks to swift intervention, the family member received immediate clinical care and began their recovery journey — a life potentially saved because of a well-structured program and a trained, compassionate peer.
Customization at the Core
Every organization is different, that’s why Optum Workplace Well-being’s teams create customized communications and campaign plans tailored to different employee environments — be it field associates or corporate staff.
One case study highlighted the effectiveness of this approach. A client with a geographically dispersed workforce saw massive gains through tailored outreach:
- 180% increase in mental well-being website visits
- 118% increase in EAP case usage
- 256 new Real Appeal weight loss program enrollments
These results underscore the power of customized, consistent and culturally aligned well-being efforts.
Companies that invest in comprehensive workplace well-being don’t just support their teams — they position themselves as employers of choice. According to Optum Workplace Well-being, 1 in 4 of their clients are recognized as the best employers and healthiest workplaces in the nation. The benefits speak for themselves:
- Greater employee engagement
- Increased productivity
- Lower healthcare costs
- Higher retention rates
Stronger employer brand
Get in touch with Optum today!
Employee well-being is a mindset, one that requires leadership buy-in, cultural alignment and strategic implementation. Optum Workplace Well-being offers organizations the solutions and expertise to build a sustainable, impactful approach to wellness that meets the demands of the modern workforce.
As the lines between work and life continue to blur, employers must ask: Are we doing enough to support our people? With population health strategies from Optum Workplace Well-being, the answer can be a confident yes.
Interested in learning more? Connect with corporate wellness expert:
Alex Greenberg – alex.greenberg@optum.com
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