Cigna CEO David Cordani told Fortune's "Leadership Next" podcast employers now have employee well-being and mental health "front and center."
Mr. Cordani joined the podcast Nov. 15 to discuss Cigna's research and efforts around mental health and well-being.
If someone is dealing with a mental health challenge, Mr. Cordani said, they bring this to work with them.
"They have to step up, with expanded dialogue, awareness programs and services around that. We think that's a positive," Mr. Cordani said.
When it comes to employee mental health, Mr. Cordani said employers should consider consolidating programs, rather than pushing many separate programs on employees.
"Employers are stepping back, in a strategic redesign of their benefit programs, which we think is very constructive," Mr. Cordani said. "Because in many cases, the individual is left as the general contractor having to pull these solutions together."
Mr. Cordani also said an individual's health is connected to productivity at work and in the community, according to Cigna's recently developed vitality index.
"Vitality means helping individuals perform at their respective highest level. What sits at the foundation of it is health. With your health, you can pursue vitality — spiritual vitality, community vitality, et cetera," Mr. Cordani said.
Listen to the full interview here.