When Givenwell founder Jonny Mirkin spoke with Jesse Mulligan on Radio New Zealand, he highlighted a crucial shift needed in workplace wellbeing—moving from reactive support towards proactive, personalised care. Drawing from his own challenging experience with burnout, Jonny shared a powerful insight: wellbeing isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Rather, it's deeply personal, holistic, and should be approached proactively.

“I burnt out pretty badly, to the point I was hospitalised,” Jonny explained during the conversation. His recovery wasn't simple or quick; it involved a combination of therapy, nutritional changes, exercise, and significant lifestyle adjustments. Through this journey, Jonny realised that traditional workplace wellbeing strategies, such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), often only intervene after significant harm has occurred—what he terms "an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff."

This critical realisation inspired the creation of Givenwell. Instead of waiting until staff are distressed, Givenwell empowers teams by providing confidential wellbeing allowances that encourage proactive self-care. Employees can choose support tailored to their unique needs—whether physical, emotional, or financial—without employers knowing their individual choices, ensuring privacy and removing barriers related to stigma or self-consciousness.

Beyond the moral imperative of supporting employee wellbeing, Jonny also shared the compelling business case: healthier teams are not only happier but more productive, more engaged, and far less likely to experience burnout or extended absences. This proactive approach delivers real returns for organisations, highlighting wellbeing not just as a cost, but as a valuable investment.

Their wellbeing. Their way.

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