Creating a Culture of Support: Key Takeaways from the Women’s Well-Being Panel

At Empowerly, we understand the importance of fostering environments where everyone can thrive. This dedication was highlighted during our recent panel, "Supporting Women’s Well-Being Through All of Their Life Stages." This event gathered experts to discuss how employers can better support the evolving needs of their female employees.

Here, we share the key insights and strategies discussed during the panel, which are essential for any organization aiming to create a supportive and inclusive workplace.

Mindy Fitzgerald, Head of HR at Air Products, started the panel by emphasizing the importance of creating a culture of support and understanding for women at all life stages. "We need to create a culture where women feel supported and understood regardless of their stage," Fitzgerald stated. This highlights the necessity of addressing a wide range of issues, from fertility and child-rearing to emotional well-being and menopause.

Dionne Adams, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Pacific Gas and Electric Co., highlighted the need for inclusive policies that consider women's unique challenges. She passionately noted, "A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. We must tailor our programs to meet diverse needs." This sentiment set the stage for a deeper discussion on the necessity of personalization in well-being programs.

Lesli Stasiek, Senior Director of HR at Cencora, shared insights on the impact of personalized well-being programs. "Employers should invest in resources that allow women to thrive personally and professionally. This means offering flexible schedules, mental health support, and more," Stasiek explained. Her comments underscored the significance of tailoring well-being initiatives to meet the specific needs of female employees.

Corrinne Hobbs, General Manager and VP of Employer Market at Ovia Health, discussed strategies for supporting women's health. "Employers should provide access to comprehensive health resources, including those that address reproductive health, mental wellness, and family support," Hobbs emphasized. Her perspective highlighted the multifaceted approach needed to support women in the workplace truly.

Dr. Martin Payne, Chief Commercial Officer at Empowerly, brought a unique perspective by focusing on the role of technology in enhancing well-being programs. "By leveraging data and digital tools, we can create customized solutions that address the specific needs of each employee, improving overall satisfaction and retention," Payne noted. His insights underscored the potential of technology to revolutionize employee support. For instance, implementing an employee performance dashboard can help visualize engagement trends and highlight areas where additional support or recognition may be needed.

Dr. Payne also highlighted the unique challenges of college admissions for women and its impact on mental health for students and employees. He stated, "The college admissions process can be incredibly stressful, especially for young women facing unprecedented competition due to the increase in female applicants. This stress doesn't just affect students; it carries over into the workplace as employees juggle supporting their children through this process while managing their professional responsibilities." Payne further emphasized the need for a holistic approach, including mental health support and flexible work arrangements, to help employees balance their personal and professional lives.

One of the key takeaways from the panel was the consensus on combining overall well-being plans with targeted point solutions. The panelists agreed that offering a broad range of resources while addressing specific needs creates the most effective support system.

Lydia Dishman, Senior Editor at Fast Company and the panel’s moderator concluded the discussion by emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue and continuous improvement. "We must keep the conversation going and remain committed to evolving our strategies to support women at every stage of their lives," Dishman stated. She left the audience with a call to action to remain proactive and innovative in their approaches.

The panel highlighted employers' critical role in supporting their female employees' health and well-being. By implementing personalized and comprehensive well-being programs, companies can create an environment that fosters personal and professional growth.

Employers should tailor their well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of their employees. This includes offering flexible schedules, mental health support, and comprehensive health resources that address reproductive health, mental wellness, and family support.

Utilizing data and digital tools can help create customized solutions that address each employee's specific needs, leading to improved overall satisfaction and retention.

Offering a broad range of resources while addressing specific needs can create the most effective support system for employees.

Employers must remain committed to evolving their strategies to support women at every stage of their lives. Ongoing dialogue and continuous improvement are essential to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace.

At Empowerly, we are proud to be part of this critical conversation and are committed to continuously improving our support for women in the workplace. Together, we can create a culture where women thrive at every stage of their lives. By adopting these strategies, businesses can foster an inclusive and supportive environment that attracts and retains top talent. Empowerly remains dedicated to leading the charge in creating workplaces where every woman can thrive.