Almost one in five (19%) of employers want the next government to take more action on staff wellbeing, according to new research from Group Risk Development (GRiD).
With the general election less than a month away, more help to support staff wellbeing has been found to be one of the most popular incentives on employer’s wish lists. Improving staff wellbeing also benefits business by improving staff morale and absence rates.
One in five (20%) employers viewed merging income tax and national insurance as the most important issue for the new administration to address. Supporters say this will result in reducing costs and driving up wages.
In terms of promoting health and wellbeing among staff, employers have highlighted that managing stress (30%), promoting healthy work/life balance (64%) and introducing more flexible working initiatives (47%) as some of their main focuses. The research has indicated that many have already started to introduce new methods of promoting this, such as training line managers to spot signs of stress and mental health conditions, plus health and wellness promotions.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for Group Risk Development, said:
“Health and wellbeing is clearly a priority. It’s really encouraging to see that not only do employers recognise the importance of this, but we know they are also doing their best to implement health and wellness support in the workplace. However, what is evident is that employers would like greater support and incentives to be able to do this. When it comes to what employers can do now, rather than waiting to see what the next government chooses to focus on, introducing Group Risk protection products provides additional support services which can help to make the process far easier. From helping to achieve a sustainable return to work for those who have had to take time off sick to fast-track access to counselling, all serve to make life better for both employer and employee.
“On a broader level, the Governments’ new Fit for Work service brings us to the brink of a new era where greater focus will be placed on supporting employees with health conditions to stay in the workplace. Employers who work with the new service will come to appreciate where Group Income Protection can serve their needs by helping them implement back to work programmes and by giving them access to a raft of further support to focus on prevention as well as cure.”
The research also revealed that nine percent of employers would like to see an extension of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme to support SMEs. Eight percent said business rates revaluation being brought forward from 2017 was the most important move for them. A review into the recent Budget has now been announced.
Amie Filcher is an editorial assistant at HRreview.
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