Reimagining Employee Wellbeing: Highlights from ASI Financial Services’ ‘Beyond Healthcare’ Event

Employee well-being is no longer just about medical aid. This shift was central at ASI Financial Services’ recent Beyond Healthcare event, where HR leaders, wellness champions, and benefit managers discussed how organisations can better support their people in a changing world.

The message was clear: employees now expect more. They want care that extends beyond check-ups and gym discounts care that’s holistic, inclusive, and meets real-life challenges.

The discussion has moved past physical health. Organisations now include mental well-being, financial stress, social connection, and absenteeism in their considerations. Investing in holistic care is not only ethical but also boosts retention and performance.

Medical schemes face sustainability pressures. Mondli Govuzela from the Council for Medical Schemes offered a candid perspective:

“We need to start thinking differently about how benefits are structured. Affordability, transparency, and inclusivity are key, especially for younger and lower-income members.”

With rising costs and declining young membership, employers were urged to rethink their benefit models and prepare for regulatory shifts such as NHI. As a practical step, companies should begin by conducting an audit of their current benefits structure to identify areas lacking inclusivity and affordability. Engaging with industry experts and considering pilot programs aligned with potential regulatory changes can help smooth the transition, ensuring strategies are adaptable to both NHI and evolving affordability standards.

Today’s workforce includes five generations each with distinct priorities, from Gen Z to Baby Boomers.

Verona Pillay from ASI Financial Services put it simply:

“Leaders need to see wellbeing as a strategic priority, not a tick-box exercise. Every generation values it differently, and our strategies must reflect that.”

Gen Z seeks flexibility and mental health support; older employees focus on chronic care and financial planning. One-size-fits-all approaches no longer work.

Burnout, absenteeism, and presenteeism cost companies more than they realise. Leading organisations are making mental health a core benefit, not just a perk, to boost productivity.

The event closed with a strong reminder: well-being strategies must continue to evolve. As technology, employee needs, and regulations change, HR teams must stay agile and continue the conversation.

Beyond Healthcare was more than just another HR event, it was a wake-up call. The future of work requires wellbeing strategies that are human-centered, financially sustainable, and adaptable. For many attendees, it marked a turning point in how they support the people who drive their organisations.