The Role of AI in Workplace Wellbeing

Like it or not, AI is here to stay. At least for the foreseeable future, anyway.

Supporting wellbeing in the workplace is also universally regarded as a positive thing. So this got us thinking…

What’s the role of AI in workplace wellbeing? And what does the future look like for HR and wellbeing leaders with the prospect of computers running our lives?

Here, we take a brief dive into the world of workplace wellbeing AI, what the future looks like, and what we can do to ensure we’re all supported and looking after one another.

Hint: it’s all about keeping it personal and hands-on.

So without further ado, let’s explore the role of AI in workplace wellbeing.

AI-Driven Mental Health Support

Mental health is a critical aspect of workplace wellbeing. Many employees face stress, burnout, and other mental health challenges. A report from Mental Health UK discovered that one in five workers needed to take time off due to burnout.

AI tools are stepping in to provide much-needed support. These tools can monitor employee interactions and behaviours to identify signs of stress or burnout early. For example, AI can analyse emails, meetings, and even the tone of conversations to spot warning signs.

Imagine an AI system that notices a colleague sending emails late at night or frequently missing deadlines. It can flag these behaviours and alert HR or the wellbeing team, who can then check in with them. This early intervention can make a huge difference, offering personalised support before issues escalate, and helping keep your colleague in work.

The downsides of this approach are obvious, though. AI in wellbeing presents huge privacy concerns.

How would you feel about a programme monitoring your communications and deciding whether you’re stressed or not? It also may not account for your personality. If you’re a particularly sarcastic person, it may not account for this and think that your funny email to a colleague is a cry for help.

There are positives to having AI involved in mental health support, but striking a balance will be key.

Personalised Wellbeing AI Programmes

As we’ve explored previously, it’s not one-size-fits-all when it comes to wellbeing programmes.

AI excels at personalisation, tailoring wellbeing programmes to individual needs. By analysing data on employee health, preferences, and performance, AI can create customised support plans.

For example, if you prefer yoga over gym workouts, the AI can suggest relevant wellbeing resources, such as yoga sessions and mindfulness.

It can also track progress and adjust recommendations based on feedback and results. Was the yoga session too difficult? Then the AI can suggest some easier yoga techniques, and even point you to videos showing you what to do.

But do you want an artificial system judging you? If ChatGPT popped up in my inbox telling me I’m not very good at running and should try walking instead, I’d be annoyed. I’m not good at running, but that’s not the point!

It all comes down to privacy, and whether your colleagues are happy for an AI to make judgements about them.

Streamlining HR Processes

Here’s an approach that’s pretty much entirely positive, and the least likely to upset people.

HR is busy. You often juggle numerous tasks, from recruitment to employee engagement.

AI can streamline many of these admin processes, freeing up HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives that improve workplace culture.

Tasks like scheduling, payroll, and benefits administration can be automated with AI. Additionally, AI provides valuable insights into workforce trends, helping HR teams identify areas for improvement. For example, AI can analyse employee feedback to pinpoint common concerns and suggest targeted interventions.

By automating mundane tasks and offering data-driven insights, AI allows HR professionals to dedicate more time to take care of the more personalised elements we’ve discussed, such as mental health support.

The clear downside to this, however, is that it’s a little too good to be true. Employers that can offload work onto AI usually then try to downsize the workers. AI is cheap labour and, if predictions are to be believed, it could take over a lot of admin roles in the workforce.

Predictive Analytics for Proactive Support

One of the most powerful applications of AI in workplace wellbeing is predictive analytics. AI can analyse patterns in data to spot potential wellbeing issues before they worsen. Much like with mental health, discussed earlier, this allows an employer to provide timely support.

For example, AI might spot increased absenteeism in a particular department. By investigating further, the company might discover underlying issues such as high workload or an unsupportive management style. Addressing these root causes can prevent further problems and improve overall employee satisfaction.

Predictive analytics also helps in identifying employees who might be at risk of burnout. By monitoring factors like workload, overtime hours, and stress levels, AI can alert managers to take supportive action.

We probably don’t need to say it again at this point, but it’s all about privacy. Whilst there’s a clear benefit in looking for patterns around issues like burnout, would you want your manager to approach you with something like “the computer says you’re stressed. Are you?”

Additionally, in the example above, workplace wellbeing AI is great, but if your managers don’t know what to do with the information, then it’s completely useless. That’s why it’s still absolutely vital that leaders in the workplace understand the effect they can have on the mental health of their team.

Equip Managers with Mental Health Skills Give your managers the right tools to support the mental health of themselves and their teams. Learn how it Works

Equip Managers with Mental Health Skills Give your managers the right tools to support the mental health of themselves and their teams. Learn how it Works

Next Steps for Handling AI in Workplace Wellbeing

AI is undoubtedly transforming workplace wellbeing in the UK. Whilst it does offer a lot of benefits in terms of data and analytics, there are still some key concerns around AI and workplace privacy.

Additionally, AI lacks the emotional factor that humans have. A workplace wellbeing AI couldn’t express genuine empathy to an individual going through a mental health crisis, for example.

As we look to the future, the role of AI in workplace wellbeing will only continue to grow. Whilst businesses must keep up with technology, we can’t lose the personal touch in wellbeing.

Are you concerned about the future of AI in workplace wellbeing? Do you want to understand how you can keep the personal approach? New Leaf Health are the experts in people-focused workplace wellbeing, and we’re here to help.

Get in touch with one of our wellbeing experts – you can call our team on 01384 877 855, or you can email enquiries@newleafhealth.co.uk.

FAQs about Workplace Wellbeing AI

How does AI identify signs of stress or burnout in employees?

AI analyses patterns in employee interactions, behaviours, and productivity to detect anomalies that may indicate stress or burnout. It does this by accessing data from sources such as emails, chats, meetings, and even HR records.

Are AI-driven wellbeing programmes customisable for each employee?

Yes, AI can use data on individual health, preferences, and performance to create personalised wellbeing plans. The risk here is that employees will need to give a lot of personal information to an AI system controlled by their employer, which many may be reluctant to do.

What are the benefits of using AI in HR processes?

AI automates routine tasks, provides insights into workforce trends, and allows HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives to improve workplace culture.

On the other hand, however, by moving these mundane tasks to cheap AI programmes, employers may look to cut down on staff that fill those roles.

How can predictive analytics help in workplace wellbeing?

Predictive analytics can forecast potential wellbeing issues, enabling companies to provide proactive support and prevent problems before they escalate. It can do this by accessing stats like absences, deadlines, and workload to see how an employee is performing.

The argument against this kind of analysis is that employees may feel like their work is reduced to just numbers, like hitting deadlines. This ignores the personal factors that people bring to the workplace, good and bad.

Is AI safe and reliable for managing workplace wellbeing?

When implemented correctly, AI can be a safe and effective tool for enhancing workplace wellbeing. But it requires everyone to be on board, especially staff, as it will be handling their personal data. Some people may likely find this intrusive.