How Employee Well-Being Drives Talent Retention

The talent retention crisis reshaping regional markets

Some regions are experiencing significant workforce challenges. Global employee engagement dropped to 21% in 2024, with managers seeing the largest decline. In Asia, 83% of employees report burnout in 2024, primarily due to financial strain and exhaustion.

In the Middle East, 60% of senior HR officers in the GCC region identify staff retention and talent development as their biggest two-year challenges. With nearly 11 million expatriates comprising over 88% of the UAE's population, talent retention is critical for economic stability.

Across Asia, approximately 67% of professionals plan to seek new employment within 12 months. Today's workforce, particularly millennials and Gen Z professionals who dominate the regional talent pool, increasingly makes career decisions based on holistic life experience factors rather than compensation alone.

Wellness benefits as the competitive advantage

As study has found that many employees would leave their current job if it did not support their well-being. 69% of Asia Pacific employers use their well-being strategy to compete for talent, indicating that well-being has moved from a "nice-to-have" to a competitive necessity.

Staff retention puts companies ahead of their competitors by reducing recruiting and re-skilling costs, but more importantly, by keeping top performers and ensuring their specialised knowledge and expertise remains in-house.

Companies with better retention rates deliver superior customer and employee experiences, retain experienced talent, and achieve higher productivity levels, which contribute to sustainable competitive advantage.

Mental health: breaking stigmas and building support

Mental health awareness has evolved dramatically across the region, becoming a priority. Research shows that 4 in 5 employees in Asia have moderate to high mental health risk, with 45% believing their mental health impacts their productivity at work.

Companies invest in Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) with competent counsellors who understand local contexts. These programs see increased utilisation as organisations destigmatise mental health support and create a psychologically safe environment.

Training programs for managers are becoming increasingly important, teaching leaders to recognise signs of stress, depression, and burnout while providing them with tools to have supportive conversations with team members.

Partnering with APRIL for comprehensive employee benefits solutions

Well-being investment should be viewed as a long-term strategy rather than a short-term expense. Organisations maintaining consistent wellness support during economic challenges see the greatest returns in retention, engagement, and performance.

Learn how APRIL International can support your business, no matter the size, and truly resonate with diverse workforces.

Global coverage

For companies operating across Asia and the Middle East, international health insurance is a critical well-being component. Unlike local coverage, international insurance provides comprehensive protection extending across borders, offering consistent medical coverage whether employees work from Singapore, travel to Dubai, or relocate to Thailand. This security directly impacts loyalty and long-term organisational commitment.

Employee Assistance Program

Our comprehensive EAP addresses modern workplace wellness's multifaceted nature, extending beyond physical health to encompass mental wellness, stress management, and expert medical guidance access.

1. Telehealth - This complimentary, unlimited 24/7 service makes healthcare easily accessible through phone or video consultation. Employees can receive professional medical guidance when needed, whether for acute symptoms or general health questions.

2. Second Medical Opinion - For serious diagnoses and treatment decisions, our service empowers informed healthcare choices through Teladoc Health's global network of over 50,000 medical experts across specialties including oncology, neurology, rheumatology, and cardiology.

3. Stress Management and Mental Health Counseling - Teladoc Health's network of mental health professionals addresses workplace and personal challenges, including work stress, anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, family dynamics, life transitions, and burnout prevention. This confidential support enables employees to address challenges before they impact performance or relationships.

All of these services above can be easily accessed via our Easy Claim app and Member Portal.

Taking the next step in your employee well-being journey

Our teams at APRIL International have strong regional expertise to help you navigate the dynamics of local markets. Organisations prioritising employee well-being won't just retain talent, they will create workplaces that become talent magnets, attracting top professionals regionally and globally.