Workplace wellbeing has continued to decline for non-native employees in this latest report ‘A Global State of Mind’, which detailed findings from a study of 1,458 non-native workers across 16 countries, and found that almost half (49%) of non-native employees have experienced burnout as a result of their job.

The range of mental health conditions revealed:

• 54% report trouble sleeping
• 53% report a loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
• 51% difficulty concentrating
• 48% report feelings of worthlessness
• 48% report a loss of self-confidence
• 37% report appetite or eating disorders

Incidence of mental health conditions among non-native workers has risen by 10% since 2022, yet there has been a 9% decrease in the number of non-natives seeking professional help to support their wellbeing.

Over a third (38%) are self-managing their condition; an interesting result given that more than a quarter (29%) were dissatisfied with their company’s psychological support services. However, 62% of those who self-manage their mental health have admitted that their conditions are not well-managed.

The findings make clear that non-native employees are struggling significantly more with their mental health than working natives. Non-native workers are 22% more likely than natives to attribute their mind health conditions to working factors, and are also more likely to experience symptoms, such as a loss of pleasure in usual activities (18%), feelings of worthlessness (20%) and appetite or eating disorders (16%).

More than a quarter (27%) of non-native employees have been on sick leave once or more for problems relating to their mind health over the last 12 months – 17% higher than sickness rates among their native peers. Non-natives are also 50% more likely to have been on sick leave multiple times across the last year.

The findings paint a troubling picture of an increasingly unhappy non-native workforce struggling with burnout, sickness and disengagement at work. Employers must invest in the right support and take proactive steps to close the mind health gap between their native and non-native employees or face significant consequences to staff retention and business success.

Xavier Lestrade, CEO of AXA – Global Healthcare said: “It’s a concerning trend to see that mind health among the non-native community has been worsening year-on-year. The pandemic years have impressed upon employers the need to support good health among their employees, but effective mental health support is becoming paramount for companies to create a healthy working environment.

“Health insurance policies which offer dedicated mental health support in multiple languages can help businesses to bridge the wellbeing gap for their non-native workforce, ensuring that the experience of working overseas remains successful and rewarding for both individuals and businesses worldwide.”

In a newly-created role, Robinson (pictured) will oversee M&G’s life insurance branches in Ireland and Poland as well as being responsible for the development and growth of Future+, a family of global multi-asset funds delivering ‘smoothed’ outcomes, designed to replicate the success of M&G’s flagship PruFund range outside the UK.

He joins M&G’s Life business, led by Clive Bolton. In addition to its international operations, the Life business is responsible for the management and development of M&G’s individual life products in the UK, including the company’s flagship PruFund range, as well as the 4.6 million customers of its heritage business. Through its corporate risk team, M&G re-entered the bulk purchase annuity market in September 2023 and is developing a range of derisking solutions for the corporate market.

Robinson is a qualified actuary who brings a deep knowledge of the insurance market and leading large teams in different countries. He joins M&G from Embark, a pensions provider that is part of Lloyds Banking Group, where he was Managing Director.

Prior to his role at Embark, Matt was a non-executive director at Zurich Life & Pensions Ireland and spent over 20 years at Aviva, where he held a number of senior roles both in the UK and Ireland. During his time at Aviva, Matt led on a strategic review of the company’s presence in Ireland and the regulatory process for the acquisition of Friends First and its merger with Aviva Life Ireland.

Clive Bolton, CEO M&G Life, said: “I am delighted to welcome Matt to M&G. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him which will help us build on two of M&G’s key strategic priorities: growing our business outside the UK and further strengthening our partnership with leading global players.

“He’s a great match for our plans to grow the international business and will be key to the development of new innovative solutions that will underpin our growth ambitions.”

Robinson said: “I am thrilled to be joining M&G at such an exciting time. I look forward to developing and growing its international life insurance business.

“It will be a real privilege to work with the team to continue to deliver an excellent service to clients and drive forward the company’s international growth ambitions.”

In a statement on 29 May, it said the solution, called Allyz Cyber Care, will allow business partners to strengthen their value propositions to their end customers by offering innovative and holistic protection combining prevention security services, assistance services and insurance benefits – all in one place for their customers.

Allyz Cyber Care is now available in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, with plans for further rollout globally.

allyz Cyber Care was developed in response to the rising level of cyber threats, which has been cited as the number one concern for businesses and customers today, according to the recent Allianz Global Risk Barometer.

The protection comprises:
• Prevention security services which include:
o Private VPN – Helping customers to protect and shield their online presence
o Safe Browsing – Warning about suspicious web pages and blocking scam sites
o Antiviruses – Protecting from viruses, trojans, ransomware and other malware
o Online Identity Protection – Allowing customers to monitor their valuable data online and get alerts and guidance when breaches are detected
o Password vault – Managing and storing passwords in a secure digital safe
o Parental Control – Setting limits for children’s screen time and blocking harmful content

• Reputation intervention to support with the remediation of issues such as online identity theft and cyber bullying through professional help and expert guidance.

• Insurance compensation in case of monetary damage. The online banking protection covers certain financial losses due to online fraudulent transactions, such as those caused by phishing. Online shopping protection covers issues with delivery and return of online purchases, in accordance with the terms and conditions and the limits of the coverage. Data Recovery intervention helps with recovery attempts of personal data from a damaged device. Insurance is provided by AWP P&C S.A. Dutch Branch.

Genoveva Perez-Lijo, global head of easy living and mobile device and digital risks (MDDR) at Allianz Partners said: “We know the vast majority of our customers go online daily for their everyday tasks, so protecting those customers and their digital selves is a huge priority for us. allyz Cyber Care is a digital, holistic, yet simple solution for cyber threats, which we know are one of the biggest concerns for our customers.

“Cyber security was noted as the top global risk in this year’s Allianz Risk barometer, by a clear margin of 5% for the first time, at 36% of respondents. Likewise, the last Allianz Partners Customer Lab research found 41% of global consumers feel at risk of cybercrime and 33% had already experienced cybercrime within the previous 12 months.

“With allyz Cyber Care, Allianz Partners is committed to providing solutions focused on prevention, so that customers can avoid cyber threats from occurring in the first place. However, if a customer is exposed to cybercrime, we are available to provide assistance and compensate losses or damages suffered. This is a unique and pioneering solution that aims to create a more secure cyber world for all our customers so they can enjoy full peace of mind, just a click away.”

The Group Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio was 234% as per January 1, 2024, compared to 267% in the previous year.

This “reaffirmed the strong financial position and robust balance sheet of the Group”, Zurich said, adding that “the reduction reflects the accrual of the 2023 dividend and the planned share buyback of up to CHF 1.1bn, as well as the redemption of €500m of subordinated debt and the acquisition of three brokerage entities and the flood program servicing arm from Farmers Exchanges.”
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The Financial Condition Report is a regulatory disclosure required by law and specified by the Swiss Financial
Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. It provides comprehensive information about the solvency and financial
strength of the Group.

It includes information about business performance, corporate governance, Zurich’s risk profile, valuation for solvency purposes and a description of how the Group manages capital.

The Swiss Solvency Test (SST) ratio as of January 1, 2024, is calculated based on the Group’s internal model, which is subject to the review and approval of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA.

Zurich Insurance Group has no ownership interest in the Farmers Exchanges. Farmers Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, provides certain non-claims services and ancillary services to the Farmers Exchanges as its attorney-in-fact and receives fees for its services.

Founded 150 years ago, Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a multi-line insurer serving people and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories.

In addition to providing insurance protection, Zurich is increasingly offering prevention services such as those that promote wellbeing and enhance climate resilience.

It is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and has the highest-possible ESG rating from MSCI. In 2020, Zurich launched the Zurich Forest project to support reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil.

The Group has about 60,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX.

It said in a statement on 15 April that in recent times, the landscape of health insurance in the UAE has witnessed a significant transformation, spurred by dynamic shifts in visa and residency regulations. Amidst this evolution, individual health insurance has emerged as a pivotal concern for residents, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to address the growing demand for accessible, efficient, and comprehensive coverage.

HAYAH’s new ‘Health Protect’ product enables customers to obtain a policy within minutes through an intuitive online journey.

Adel Benachour, head of employee benefits, Bancassurance, and Partnerships said: “As pioneers in the insurance landscape of the UAE, we are proud to introduce Health Protect, a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, accessibility, and customer-centricity.

“With Health Protect, we are not just providing insurance; we are empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being, ensuring a brighter and healthier future for all.”

Through automated online underwriting, the platform utilizes advanced algorithms to assess risk factors and determine eligibility in real-time, ensuring swift and accurate decision-making without the need for lengthy paperwork or manual intervention.

HAYAH Health Protect is also fully integrated with governmental bodies such as the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and providing customers with added peace of mind regarding the reliability and legitimacy of their insurance coverage.

A strategic partnership with MedNet, a leading third-party administrator (TPA) specializing in healthcare management services further “ensures seamless integration between the insurance platform and the TPA, facilitating efficient claims processing, provider network management, and customer support”.

In addition to its digital prowess, Health Protect distinguishes itself through its commitment to customer-centricity and personalized service. Through a dedicated team of professionals, HAYAH remains steadfast in its mission to deliver exceptional support and guidance to policyholders throughout their insurance journey, ensuring that their needs are met with empathy, efficiency, and professionalism.

Mohamed Seghir, chief executive officer, said: “With Health Protect, we are revolutionizing the way individuals perceive and access health insurance in the UAE. Our digital-first approach, coupled with strategic partnerships and a relentless focus on customer satisfaction, underscores our commitment to driving positive change and delivering unparalleled value to our customers. At HAYAH, we envision a future where health insurance is not just a necessity but a seamless and empowering experience for all.”