February 14, 2023 All Articles

Meet the Partner: E4E Relief

For 20 years, E4E Relief has been the leading provider of charitable emergency financial relief programs, rapidly responding to disasters and hardships on behalf of corporations when their employees need it most. Since 2020, E4E Relief has received $312 million in donations and awarded $221 million in grants, supporting 5 million people worldwide.

We are delighted to be partnering with E4E Relief for Wellbeing at Work US Summit on March 7 – March 9. We caught up with the team to find out why they are so passionate about wellbeing at work and why they are looking forward to the Summit.

We are thrilled to be working together at our Wellbeing at US Summit in March. Our first question is how are you doing today?:

We are excited!  Not only to be a first-time participant at Wellbeing at Work, but also to meet your attendees and to learn from all the presenters and experts at the summit. At E4E Relief, our work is rooted in the belief that workplace wellness is the foundation of a strong culture, a resilient organization and an engaged and loyal workforce. We are eager to share how emergency financial relief plays a key role in corporate well-being initiatives.

What are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?

One thing we see a lot in our work at E4E Relief is the negative impact financial stress has on employees. Money-related stress is at an all-time high in the U.S., and that can lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. We believe emergency financial relief programs can be an effective part of restoring financial stability and alleviating stress, which creates a healthier, happier workforce.

What strategies have you seen developing in the region over the past 6-12 months to address health and wellbeing in the workplace?

We have seen more attention going toward addressing the impact of financial instability and insecurity. The pandemic certainly strained financial well-being. Those two years of uncertainty were then followed by the rise in housing costs and inflation, both of which increased strain on individuals across the country. Those factors inspired many companies to begin working to provide other ways to support their employees’ financial well-being, from financial education to a corporate push to improve 401k participation to programs like ours that provide a financial lifeline during times of disaster and hardship.

Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?

People power everything an organization does. While companies have always known that, it became particularly apparent during the Great Resignation, when top talent was hard to come by. That period of time reignited a deep appreciation for employees. When they join your organization, they make a commitment to work hard to support your mission and your goals. That commitment works best when it goes both ways, when companies offer their support in return.

What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in March?

We are excited to meet your attendees and to learn from other leaders who understand the vital importance of well-being in the workplace. 

Tell us, what is your vision for the workplace of the future, in terms of employee engagement, health and wellbeing?

We envision a future where employee health and well-being are an organization’s top priority because they understand that healthy, happy people power successful, sustainable organizations. Employees can bring their whole selves to work without question and can ask for and receive the support they need, when they need it.

What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12-18
months?

Financial well-being is key, particularly with the threat of a possible economic recession looming large. So much stems from financial well-being: our ability to maintain housing, keep the lights on, keep food on the table, pay for child care. By working to support financial well-being, companies can address many of the challenges their employees face.

How has your organization been leading the way?

More than 20 years ago, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, E4E Relief pioneered the concept of emergency financial relief. We partnered with two leading financial institutions to provide financial relief to the families of employees lost in the tragedy. Since then, we have grown to serve more than 135 companies, including 40 in the Fortune 500, and more than 5 million employees around the world, administering emergency financial relief programs that provide charitable grants to individuals during times of disaster and hardship. Our tech-enabled solution tackles financial well-being head on, providing individuals with a financial lifeline when they need it most.

Join E4E Relief at the Wellbeing at Work US Summit that takes place both live and in-person in New York and Silicon Valley and virtually for the wider region. Further details on the Summit can be found here.

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