Ill-thought-out | Some firms offer no health or wellbeing support to prevent staff sickness

Nearly one in five employers offer no health & wellbeing support to prevent ill health, a new study has found.

Research revealed today by GRiD, the industry body for the group risk industry, shows that although many employers are embracing the benefits of offering employees preventative health and wellbeing support, there is still work to be done, with 18% of employers not offering any support for prevention.

GRiD asked employers what health and wellbeing support they offer their employees to prevent ill health:

Flexible working initiatives were the most popular option, offered by nearly a third (30%) of employers. Emotional support, such as counselling, came next, offered by a quarter of employers (25%). Then it was occupational health (20%), mental health first aiders (19%), access to an employee assistance programme (17%), initiatives to help staff manage stress and mental health, (16%), and discounted gym, cycle, fitness (16%). These were all followed by support for staff with caring responsibilities, lifestyle support, physiotherapy, and access to private medical insurance (PMI), all offered by 15% of employers.