As workplaces evolve, employee well-being is increasingly being recognised as a critical factor in organisational success. However, when it comes to discussing well-being with HR teams, employees still face significant challenges. According to a recent survey conducted by Umwelt.AI, employees highlighted key concerns that affect their comfort level when sharing personal well-being needs with HR professionals.
The survey revealed that 58 per cent of respondents are concerned about being misunderstood when discussing their well-being with HR. This fear of miscommunication underscores the need for HR departments to enhance their listening skills and cultivate an environment where employees feel truly heard.
Additionally, 28 per cent of employees mentioned a lack of empathy and support from HR managers as a major challenge. As the role of HR shifts towards being a strategic partner in fostering a healthy work culture, emotional intelligence and empathetic interactions are becoming more important than ever.
A further 14 per cent of respondents expressed worry about a breach of confidentiality, illustrating that employees must trust that sensitive information shared with HR will be handled with care and discretion.
Vishal Chopra, Founder and CEO of Umwelt.AI, commented on these findings, “It’s clear that organisations need to take a more proactive approach in addressing employee concerns. HR professionals must not only listen but also respond with empathy and confidentiality. That’s why at Umwelt.AI, we incarnated and trained Nikki on the most essential aspects of empathy and confidentiality, to help HR leaders truly listen to employees, gain real-time insights into their well-being and take timely actions. By providing these insights, Nikki empowers HR to create a more supportive environment, where employees feel comfortable discussing their challenges without fear of being misunderstood.
These findings underscore the importance of building trust between employees and HR professionals. With both human and Analytical powers possessed by someone like Umwelt.AI’s Nikki, HR departments can gather real-time data on employee well-being, enabling proactive conversations and interventions that prevent misunderstandings and foster a culture of empathy and support. This approach is critical for retaining top talent and ensuring a thriving, engaged workforce for business success.