Walmart Expands Mental Health Benefits
Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is expanding its mental health benefits for its employees. The company is doubling the number of therapy and mental health coaching sessions it provides to all workers and their dependents. Walmart has stated that the reason for this move is because of the increasing need for mental health support in the workplace.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the impact of mental health on employee productivity and the bottom line. According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. Hence, employers have been taking a more proactive approach towards improving mental health wellness in the workforce.
Walmart has announced that it will partner with various companies, including Teladoc Health, in providing these benefits. Teladoc is a digital health company that offers online consultations with medical professionals. Walmart has also made available various resources, such as mental health toolkits and resources, for its employees to access.
One interesting factor in Walmart’s move is its potential application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in its recruitment and staffing efforts. In recent years, many companies have been exploring the use of AI in their recruitment and staffing activities, and Walmart can potentially benefit from this as well.
One example of an AI product that could help Walmart is Robot Vera. According to an article by Forbes, Robot Vera is an AI-powered recruiting chatbot that uses machine learning to interact with candidates and perform initial interviews on behalf of hiring managers. The chatbot is said to be capable of screening thousands of candidates in a matter of hours, freeing up hiring managers’ time.
Other AI products that Walmart can potentially use include Textio, an AI-powered writing platform that helps businesses write compelling job descriptions, and Entelo, an AI tool that uses algorithms to identify candidates who are more likely to switch jobs.
The implementation of AI tools in recruitment and staffing can bring a myriad of benefits to Walmart. Firstly, it can help improve efficiency in the hiring process. AI-powered tools can screen resumes quickly and accurately, reducing the time and resources needed to review each applicant manually.
Furthermore, AI tools can help improve diversity and inclusivity in the recruitment process. By systematically analyzing a wide range of data sets, AI technology can identify diverse candidates who may have been overlooked in traditional recruiting methods.
In conclusion, Walmart’s decision to expand its mental health benefits for employees is a step in the right direction towards improving employee wellness in the workplace. In addition, the potential application of AI tools in recruitment and staffing can bring about overall efficiency and inclusivity, contributing to better business outcomes.