Wellness Strategies that May Increase Employee Productivity Under the Prevailing Work Trends: A Case of Bankers in Nairobi County, Kenya

Employee wellness programs (EWPs) have been globally recognized as essential contributors to organizational performance. However, evolving work trends such as hybrid work models, digital overload, and heightened stress levels demand a reevaluation of wellness strategies specifically for the banking sector in Nairobi County, Kenya. This study addresses a research gap by assessing additional wellness strategies that could enhance work productivity among bankers in Nairobi County under the current work trends. While existing programs focus mainly on physical and financial wellness, the role of emotional, social, and digital wellness support remains underexplored. The study was conducted in Nairobi County, a major financial and banking hub in East Africa and hosting numerous local and international financial institutions. A qualitative research design was applied, ten (10) management-level Human Resource and Wellness Managers from Tier 1 and Tier 2 banks were purposively selected for in-depth interviews as to their experiences and opinions on wellness programs for bankers. Data was collected using an in-depth interview and analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that while standard wellness programs exist, additional strategies are required to address the job demands associated with emerging work trends such as flexible work scheduling, inclusive cultures, incentivizing wellness mental health days, mental health awareness and elimination of stigma. Participants emphasized that adapting wellness programs to current work realities is crucial for sustaining work productivity. Furthermore, banks should expand their wellness programs to incorporate holistic, flexible mental health-centered and technology-conscious strategies to align with evolving work demands conscious of the emerging global trends.