Building workforce resilience

Helping you protect your people and manage workforce risks with confidence

Get in touch

Mitigating people risks. Strengthening business resilience.

A resilient organisation is one that can anticipate people-related challenges and respond effectively when they arise. It adapts, stays focused and continues to perform, even in times of uncertainty.

People risk covers the wide range of workforce challenges that can affect both employees and business performance. This includes employee health, skills shortages, regulatory complexity, rising costs and changing ways of working. Managing these risks is not just about protection. It is about creating the right conditions for people and businesses to thrive.

At Howden, we help Belgian organisations take a proactive, joined-up approach to people risk. Using data, targeted solutions and smart insurance strategies, we support you in building resilience, staying compliant and strengthening employee wellbeing.

Why prioritise people risk?

Your workforce is at the heart of your business. When people are healthy, engaged and supported, organisations are better placed to perform today and grow sustainably in the future.

People-related risks cannot be ignored. Left unaddressed, they can impact culture, productivity and financial stability. This may show up as difficulty attracting and retaining talent, higher insurance costs linked to claims, or rising expenses caused by absenteeism and turnover.

Taking a proactive and structured approach to people risk helps protect continuity, control costs and support long-term resilience.

A holistic approach to People Risk

People Risk Holistic approach

People risk sits at the intersection of insurance, business risk and health and wellbeing. These areas are closely connected, and each one influences workforce resilience.

  • Insurance helps transfer and mitigate financial risk.
  • Business risk reflects how organisations operate and how people perform within them.
  • Health and wellbeing focuses on employees’ physical, mental and financial ability to work effectively.

Addressing these areas together allows organisations to manage costs more effectively, improve employee experience and create safer, more productive workplaces.

For Belgian employers, this means close collaboration between HR, finance, risk and leadership teams. A joined-up approach ensures risks are anticipated, managed and aligned with organisational culture and goals, helping businesses remain agile and future-ready.

Understanding your people risks

How effectively does your organisation manage risks linked to employee health and wellbeing? A resilient workforce starts with a balanced approach to mental, physical and financial health.

  • Unmanaged stress, burnout or mental health challenges can lead to higher claims, increased premiums and potential liability.
  • Proactive wellbeing support helps reduce these risks and strengthens resilience across the organisation.

Does your workplace culture support trust, inclusion and collaboration? In a competitive labour market, attracting and retaining talent requires flexible strategies that respond to different skills, life stages and expectations.

  • Open communication, strong leadership and respect for diverse perspectives create healthier working environments.
  • A positive culture supports engagement and can reduce people-related risks linked to turnover and liability.

Is your workforce equipped to manage digital risks and cyber threats? Protecting employee and customer data is critical in an increasingly digital workplace.

  • Providing the right tools, training and security measures helps protect both people and the business.
  • Building cyber resilience supports continuity and compliance as technology and working practices evolve.

Are you prepared for environmental and societal challenges that could affect employee safety and business operations? Employees increasingly expect organisations to act responsibly and sustainably.

  • Climate-related risks, extreme weather and environmental disruption can impact operations and insurance exposure.
  • Integrating sustainability into people risk strategies supports long-term resilience and responsible growth.

Employees talking and sharing coffee outdoors, representing connection, wellbeing and positive workplace culture

People risk across industries

Every industry faces its own workforce challenges. Regulatory pressure, talent shortages, safety requirements and operational risks vary widely between sectors.

A one-size-fits-all approach does not work. Organisations that tailor their people risk strategy to their industry realities are better positioned to control costs, support wellbeing and maintain continuity.

Understanding your sector-specific risks helps you stay competitive, compliant and prepared for what lies ahead.

How we help

Turning people risk into opportunity

At Howden, we work with you to identify, assess and manage people risk through a structured, practical approach. Our goal is to turn workforce challenges into opportunities for stronger performance and resilience.

We take time to understand your organisation, your people and your priorities, then design solutions that support what matters most to you.

Our three-stage approach

  1. Engage – understanding your people risk landscape
    We work closely with you to identify your key people risks using tailored assessments and data-driven insight, building a clear picture of vulnerabilities and opportunities.
  2. Analyse – benchmarking and insight
    Using market data and industry benchmarks, we assess your risk profile against peers and standards, helping highlight areas for improvement and action.
  3. Solve – tailored solutions
    We design and implement practical, customised strategies aligned with your business goals. From proactive interventions to ongoing support, our solutions strengthen resilience, wellbeing and overall performance.

Ready to take the first step?

Understand how people-related risks are affecting your organisation. Whether your focus is protecting your workforce, strengthening culture or improving resilience, we are here to help you navigate complexity with confidence.

Get in touch