"Our research shows that employers don’t have a great understanding of the health & wellbeing needs of their employees, but they are making efforts to change this."
- Debra Clark, Head of Wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection
Of those surveyed (500), only 44% of employers strongly agreed that they have a ‘good understanding’ of their employees’ health & wellbeing needs. This was followed by 43% strongly agreeing they have a ‘good understanding’ of their workforce’s mental health-related needs, physical health & wellbeing (42%), and social wellbeing (40%).
When asked what health & wellbeing support their staff would find beneficial, 45% said feedback via line managers or directly, followed by staff surveys (43%), employee forums and/or focus groups (41%), formal reviews (41%), and informal anecdotal feedback (38%).
Towergate Health & Protection highlighted that employers are using several methods to find out what support their workforce needs in terms of health & wellbeing. Still, more could be done to ensure the right assistance is given.
The health & wellbeing specialist said it’s vital that employers don’t just second-guess. It’s also important to ensure that employees are regularly asked about their health & wellbeing, as situations can change often and rapidly.
“Recognition of the challenges with which employees may be struggling could be better across all four pillars of health & wellbeing. It’s vital that employers obtain a better insight into the needs of their workforce, so they can better support them,” explained Debra Clark, Head of Wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection.
“With a little guidance on what support is available and how best to ensure this fits the needs of their workforce, employers will be able to benefit from healthier, happier, and more engaged and productive employees,” she concluded.
