The research highlights a difference between simply informing employees that benefits exist and 'actively encouraging' them to engage.
In the same research, GRiD found that 71% of employers anticipate that they will struggle with recruitment this year, and 95% of those say that it will have an impact on their business such as reduced productivity (32%), disruption to business continuity (30%), negative impact on other staff, for example, from increased workload, (27%) and a lack of expertise in the business (26%). GRiD spokersperson Katharine Moxham said they would 'very much encourage' employers not to leave it up to staff, adding: “Proactive communications on health and wellbeing support must be prioritised by employers to help retain their current employees and reduce the challenge of finding and hiring new staff.”
Currently, around a third (30%) of employers inform staff of benefits via a welcome pack, with a similar amount (28%) doing so via the staff handbook or on the first day of employment (24%).
Many do so before employment begins, however: 21% in an offer letter or before day one of employment, and 19% before recruitment (such as in job adverts). Others wait to do so, using email campaigns (22%), staff noticeboads (21%) and company intranet (20%) to inform employees of the benefits available to them. GRiD say that regular reinforcement of the message of employee benefits across multiple channels, including via staff members (which 18% of businesses currently do, with wellbeing champions or similar) would increase visibility - adding that they consider this best practice.
Ongoing support - like that offered by 19% of employers, with benefit advisers, providers and suppliers holding employee engagement events - and use of a platform or app (such as in the case of 17% of employers) are also good ways to regularly promote employee take-up.
Katharine Moxham concluded: “Proactive, clear, and early communication around employee benefits isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s essential for retention, recruitment, and workplace wellbeing. When staff feel genuinely supported, they are more likely to stay with their employer, so while offering a comprehensive employee benefits package is important, equally important is how those benefits are communicated."
"In today’s competitive recruitment market, employees increasingly recognise that it’s not just about the benefits on offer, but what they signal: an employer that genuinely values and prioritises the health and wellbeing of its people."
