Partnership Highlight: HSO & Empower
1. Why did you choose to work with Empowr?
Empowr offers us the solution we were looking for in offering a wide range of well-being solutions. The fact that, as an employer, we can provide important input into that offer and thus tailor it, makes it an extremely workable solution for us. With regard to the investment in Empowr, it helps that we were able to make use of the MDIEU subsidy under their guidance. In this way, it is also an attractive initiative from a financial point of view.
2. Why does HSO invest preventively in the vitality of employees?
HSO wants to be an 'employer of choice'. This means that we want employees to feel good about themselves when they work at HSO. I always call that the 3 H's; happy, human and health. We invest in all these facets and our vitality policy is in line with Health's H. Our Vitality Vibes, that's what we called our vitality program, helps colleagues support well-being. In this, we support everyone physically as well as mentally. Empowr helps us in particular when it comes to mental well-being. In addition, we also focus on sports and a healthy lifestyle. Vitality is close to the hearts of many of our colleagues, so we immediately had a lot of ambassadors within the organization.
3. Could you briefly say something about your innovative HR vision and how this investment fits in with it?
Our Vitality Vibes are part of what we are the employee journey mention. It contributes to greater engagement and lower absenteeism. Perhaps even more important is that it really helps and that it is simply fun. Not everything is equally interesting for everyone, of course, but because you can offer customized solutions for smaller groups, or even on an individual level, there is something for everyone. This creates an extra layer in being an employer of choice.
4. What do you think is going well about the collaboration so far?
Thanks to the biweekly check-in with Empowr, we are very flexible when it comes to filling out the content or design. This ensures that we are on the right track and that we can make timely adjustments according to needs. That input from Empower is very much appreciated.
5. What could be better?
Our Vitality Vibes is new to the organization. That means that we sometimes still experiment with what we think works and what doesn't. We sometimes miss the point with this, but that's not a bad thing at all. Sometimes enthusiasm is left behind because we can take a more logistical approach to things. This is what we learn from, together with Empowr.
6. What do you hope to get out of the cooperation with Empowr in concrete terms? Where would you ideally like to be in 2 years?
I strive to ensure that vitality and caring for the well-being of employees are and remain part of our DNA. Empowr plays a role in this where it would be extra nice that visiting Empowr will become a form of automatism for everyone.
7. What advice do you have for other consultancy companies when it comes to well-being and the vitality of colleagues?
Above all, don't do anything with it, because that helps us distinguish ourselves, haha! No, but seriously.. I think that every employer should have the wellbeing of their employees on the top of their mind. Ultimately, it's the people who make the difference. From that knowledge, it is important that we take care of our people. We ask quite a lot from our colleagues, and attention to everyone's well-being should certainly come in return.
Gert-Jan Duis
HR Director HSO Netherlands
