Hays, the specialist leader in workforce solutions and recruitment, is implementing the Sonder early intervention platform to make it easier for its employees in the UK and Ireland to access 24/7 integrated medical, mental health and personal safety support.
Within eight weeks of going live with Sonder, 34 percent of employees across the UK&I have activated the service – a six-fold uplift on Hays’ previous wellbeing offering.
The Sonder app provides immediate, 24/7 support from a team of safety, medical, and mental health professionals who are accessible via Chat messaging or phone calls. At the touch of a button, individual employees and their immediate family members can quickly access the right care at the right time.
Hannah Pearsall, Head of Wellbeing at Hays, commented:
Sonder is playing a big part in supporting our health and wellbeing strategy. From providing reassurance to the parent of a sick child in the middle of the night, securing a GP appointment or helping a colleague achieve a healthier work-life balance – the 24/7 support available is a real game-changer for our staff. By providing a single point of entry, without any time or qualifying restrictions, our people are getting the right support at the right time – creating a happier and healthier workforce in the process.
Hannah Pearsall, Head of Wellbeing at Hays
Prior to implementing Sonder, Hays had been using three separate resources to provide health and wellbeing support to its workforce of over 2,700 across 79 sites in the UK and Ireland: a digital doctor service for medical support, an employee assistance programme (EAP) and a wellbeing app to provide health-related guidance.
Restrictions on operational availability, usage caps, and confusion among employees over which offering to use, however meant that previous uptake of the services was low. With a small number of employees using the tools, Hays recognised the importance of addressing the shortcomings of the previous system.
Craig Cowdrey, CEO and co-founder, Sonder, commented:
Organisations that invest in employee health, safety and wellbeing as a driver of growth are making the shift from reactive to preventative support. I’m thrilled that Hays is embracing this approach through Sonder’s early intervention platform and I’m excited about the impact already achieved.
Craig Cowdrey, CEO and co-founder, Sonder
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.