HERO and Mercer announced the launch of The HERO Health and Well-being Best Practices Scorecard in Collaboration with Mercer – International Version. Modeled after the successful US version, the HERO International Scorecard is designed for use by employers in any country*.
The HERO International Scorecard, which is available online and free of charge, allows employers to evaluate their health and well-being efforts by using a comprehensive inventory of current best practices compiled by industry thought leaders.
“Social and workplace norms can differ greatly from office to office within large companies and from community to community within the United States. Companies with an international presence face additional challenges because workplace health and well-being best practices that have been tested and proven in America might not be relevant in the other countries,” said Paul Terry, Ph.D. president and CEO of HERO.
“Business leaders need comparative data, but that can be quite costly and difficult to secure without the help of a resource like the HERO Scorecard.”
In the United States, where the domestic version of the Scorecard has been available since 2008, employers can benchmark their program and outcomes against companies of similar sizes and industries.
As employers begin completing the new HERO International Scorecard, benchmarks will become available that allow employers to compare their programs to others in their own country and in other countries where the Scorecard is used. The International Scorecard is currently available only in English.
This scorecard from HERO asks employers to provide information about organizational and cultural support for employee health and well-being, specific program offerings, integration of health and well-being programs with other areas of the company, strategies to encourage participation (such as communications and rewards), program costs, and outcomes.
After submitting the online scorecard, the employer immediately receives an email showing their best practice scores in six areas that contribute to employee well-being. (Benchmarks will be added to this report as they become available.)
“Companies benefit in multiple ways by completing the HERO Scorecard: from access to information about best practices and comparative benchmarking, to planning for future program enhancements and building internal consensus for improvements,” said Steven Noeldner, Ph.D., Mercer partner and chair of the HERO Research Study Subcommittee.
“Providing this breadth of analysis and comparison for domestic and international business will streamline efforts for employers and give them a competitive advantage in building a healthy workforce now, and in the future.”
“With continuous, double-digit growth in health costs, ageing populations and ever-increasing health consciousness, companies in Asia take workplace health and wellness very seriously. Most employers are looking for the right solution to address health issues and related decrease in engagement and productivity,” said Cecilia Deasy, Partner, Regional Consultant, Mercer Asia.
“Unfortunately, too many organizations are implementing programs that are passive in nature, with limited experience or guidance. As a result, most programs fail to generate the material impact that organizations are looking for,” Deasy added.
“Workplace health and wellness cannot be effectively managed with band aid solutions. Engagement, motivation, support and strategy are critical to ensure success. With the best practice framework and achievable results, the HERO scorecard offers the evidence and navigational tools required for employers in this region to implement successful workplace health and wellness programs and generate real results,” concluded Deasy.
