Affordability and flexibility have topped the list of most important factors for employers when implementing a health and wellbeing programme, research has revealed.
A survey of 500 HR decision-makers commissioned by Towergate Health & Protection found that affordability was cited by 38% of respondents, followed by flexibility, which was noted by one in three (32%) participants.
The study further showed added benefits and comprehensiveness were the third and fourth most important factors when it came to implementing an initiative, listed by 27% and 24% respectively.
Added benefits, which are regularly provided at no extra cost, can boost the value for money offered by health and wellbeing services and can include support from virtual GPs, counsellors and wellness apps.
Comprehensiveness covers a programme that is both full and rounded, made up of various elements that together create a holistic approach to aid all health and wellbeing pillars.
Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection, said: “Being affordable is of course crucial to any wellbeing programme, but it is also important that it achieves value for money. It is many of the other factors identified by employers as important in a support programme that helps to ensure true value is received.”
Other important factors noted by employers were engaging staff in health and wellness programmes (23%), level of understanding of the workforce, including profile and needs (20%) and personalisation options for individual employees (20%).
Digitally delivered wellness programmes, as well as being tailor-made for the workforce and overall business needs, were both important for 19% of survey respondents.
Clark added: “Carefully targeting health and wellbeing support to match employee needs, as well as providing a range of regularly reviewed options, will help to provide value for money in terms of the positive outcomes.”
