Chief Wellbeing Officer: The New C-Suite Executive Reforming Work Culture

Can an organisation truly thrive if its workforce isn't thriving? What if, in the relentless pursuit of productivity, an organisation’s culture leaves employees drained, disconnected, and disengaged? This query lays the foundation for the Chief Wellbeing Officer role, a visionary who acknowledges that the prosperity of a business is linked inextricably to the wellbeing of its employees.

But why is a wellbeing officer needed at the top management level?

Consider this: 77% of workers believe that a positive workplace culture can heavily influence their decision to stay with a company, and an equal 77% hold the conviction that having a wellness program significantly impacts a company's culture.

Source: The HR Digest

Thus the rising trend of creating a profile of Chief Wellbeing Officer in companies. These executives may sport different titles, sometimes called Chief People Officers or Chief Happiness Officers. Still, their underlying mission remains consistent – to foster a culture that nurtures the holistic wellbeing of employees. This encompasses everything from physical health to mental and emotional wellness, with the ultimate objective of creating a work environment where employees succeed and flourish.

Perhaps most telling of the significance of this role is its placement within the upper echelons of the company hierarchy – the C-suite. Now at the executive decision-making table adorned with CEOs, CFOs, and CTOs is the newly added Chief Wellbeing Officer. As the Chief Wellbeing Officer makes a home in the C-suite, it represents the magnitude of a paradigm shift.

This isn't a position confined to HR departments or wellness initiatives; it's an executive-level commitment to nurturing a culture that empowers and uplifts the workforce. The presence of wellbeing officers at this level sends a resounding message – employee wellbeing isn't just a box to check; it's a commitment that permeates every facet of the organisation.

Deloitte, a trailblazer in this movement, appointed Jen Fisher as its Chief Wellbeing Officer in 2015. Currently, Fisher is Deloitte's Human Sustainability Officer. In 2021, EY, a global professional services powerhouse, showcased its commitment by appointing Frank Giampietro as its Chief Wellbeing Officer. Apple followed suit by hiring Carol Surface as its Chief People Officer in March 2023. Beyond these corporate giants, even organisations as clandestine as the Central Intelligence Agency have created this position! Jennifer Posa, CIA's Chief Wellbeing Officer since 2022, is navigating turbulent times to safeguard her employees' mental and emotional wellbeing.

When asked about the significance of their role, these Chief Wellbeing Officers offer powerful insights. Jen Fisher emphasises her mission of dispelling the notion that high performance necessitates sacrificing wellbeing: "My mission is to toss out this myth and change people’s mindsets." She asserts that wellbeing isn't a counterpoint to success but a foundation for it.

Similarly, Jennifer Posa, the first-ever Chief Wellbeing Officer at the CIA, emphasises her responsibility in building a resilient workforce: "I am…excited to work with officers throughout the agency to advance our commitment to wellbeing to further support our geographically diverse workforce as they carry out our important mission.”

The Significance of Employee Wellbeing in SMEs

The rise of the Chief Wellbeing Officer isn’t just a passing trend. Because fostering a culture of wellbeing isn't just a feel-good gesture; it's a strategic imperative that enhances employee engagement, productivity, and, ultimately, the organisation's prosperity.

But this movement towards prioritising employee wellbeing isn't confined to industry giants alone. The philosophy of fostering a healthier and happier workforce has extended its reach to companies of all sizes, including growing startups and small enterprises. The SMEs are rapidly realising that the wellbeing of their employees is linked directly to their overall success and sustainability.

Read: How to Take Care of Employee Wellbeing in the Workplace

How Can CHOYS Help?

At its core, CHOYS is a "digital chief wellbeing officer" for companies, providing a range of personalised benefits, insurance options, and wellbeing support to employees.

The CHOYS wellbeing solution is an innovative and comprehensive digital platform designed to empower organisations to prioritise and enhance the wellbeing of their employees. Rooted in the belief that everyone deserves wellbeing at the workplace, CHOYS opens the door for every organisation, irrespective of size, to prioritise employee wellbeing.

CHOYS’s co-founder, Vanessa Chen, encapsulates the essence of CHOYS' mission: "The 'good stories' of employee wellbeing have always come from Google, Meta, etc. but that shouldn’t be the case. We believe everyone deserves wellbeing at workplaces." Whether personalised benefits, insurance coverage, or healthy habits, CHOYS empowers companies to foster a supportive work environment.

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As businesses take steps towards creating cultures of wellbeing, they're not just investing in their employees; they're investing in a future where productivity isn't compromised and growth is nurtured.

The emergence of the Chief Wellbeing Officer is not a trend; it's a revolution. From conglomerates to startups, the message is clear – wellbeing isn't just an add-on. Rather it's an essential aspect of the future of work and employee retention. Through platforms like CHOYS, organisations will have the tools to champion employee wellbeing, ensuring their workplace becomes a thriving ecosystem where individuals can flourish, innovate, and thrive.