Cigna Healthcare MEA, the prominent global health services company, has introduced its new initiative called 'The 5% Pledge.' This campaign urges business leaders to allocate 5% of their working hours to promote mental health support in the workplace, reinforcing Cigna Healthcare's dedication to the overall well-being of employees.
The launch of this campaign took place during an in-person panel discussion on May 25th titled 'Unleash Your Organization's Potential: The Power of the 5% Mental Health Pledge.' The session featured insights from industry experts, including Dr. Sara Al Dalal, President of Emirates Health Economics Society at Emirates Medical Association UAE, Dr. Nahida Nayaz Ahmed, Chair of Behavioral Health Council – Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Jerome Droesch, CEO – Domestic Health and Health Services, International Health at Cigna Healthcare, James Lafferty, CEO of Fine Hygienic Holding, and was moderated by Scott Armstrong, Founder of Mentl.
'The 5% Pledge' is based on extensive research involving nearly 14,000 employees worldwide, which revealed that 88% of them are experiencing burnout, with young adults, particularly those aged 18-24, being the most affected (96% experiencing burnout and 91% feeling stressed). According to Cigna Healthcare's latest 360 well-being survey, 95% of Gen Z individuals in the UAE report instances of stress, and 98% experience burnout symptoms.
Under the campaign slogan '5% of your time can make 100% of the difference,' 'The 5% Pledge' encourages CEOs, business leaders, and people managers to publicly commit to dedicating 5% of their annual working hours to drive transformative changes in organizational cultures and proactively address employee well-being.
With Cigna Healthcare providing the necessary tools and support, leaders who make this pledge can implement practical changes that truly matter. Cigna Healthcare firmly believes that genuine cultural transformation must be led from the top to create a lasting impact. This commitment aims to not only ensure employees feel secure and supported but also change the perception of and support systems for mental health in the workplace.
Through this groundbreaking campaign, Cigna Healthcare is leading the way in reshaping its relationship with employees and actively shaping the future of mental well-being in work environments.
Jerome Droesch, CEO – Domestic Health & Health Services, International Health at Cigna Healthcare, stated, "Our employees are not just our most valuable asset – they are the driving force behind our success. Recognizing the significant influence of the workplace on overall well-being, we are taking a bold step with 'The 5% Pledge' to champion mental health at work. We call upon business leaders to embrace this challenge, take the lead in this crucial transformation, and foster a supportive environment. By prioritizing well-being, we improve performance and retention, creating a thriving workforce. A commitment of 5% of our leaders' time can ignite a complete transformation in employee well-being."
Interested in learning how you can get started? Read this article published by Cigna or check out this article written by Core Health that outlines 6 ways you can improve mental wellbeing in the workplace.
About the Author: Taylor Genter
Taylor is a Marketing Manager at Extract with experience in data analytics, graphic design, and both digital and social media marketing. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater. Taylor enjoys analyzing people’s behaviors and attitudes to find out what motivates them, and then curating better ways to communicate with them.