Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) are the most common health benefits provided by employers for the fourth year in a row, new research has revealed.
A benefits and allowances survey by XpertHR found that EAPs and other counselling services are offered by more than eight in 10 (84%) UK organisations.
The figures also suggest that employers are recognising the need to tailor their resources for hybrid working, with more than half (53%) now offering digital wellbeing provisions. However, this is more widely available at larger organisations with 1,000-plus staff, where 71% of employers provide this compared to just 40% of smaller businesses with one to 249 employees.
According to the latest findings, three in 10 employers now have a financial wellbeing programme, designed to help employees make their money go further and reach their financial goals, as well as manage their debts.
The research showe that the third most common health benefit on offer is private medical insurance, offered by nearly two-thirds (64%), while healthcare cash plans have increased in popularity since 2022 and are now provided by one in three (34%) of employers.
Sheila Attwood, XpertHR senior content manager, data and HR insights, said: “Given the financial strains placed upon employees over the last 18 months, and how this is impacting upon their mental health, it’s unsurprising that employers are looking to dedicate significant mental health support to their employees. However, there is a shift from relying totally on EAPs to provide this mental support with the inclusion of finance specific benefits offering a solution that might address the root cause of many employees’ worries.
“Greater access to digital resources to support wellbeing highlights organisations’ continued commitment to flexible working arrangements, ensuring employees can access the support they need wherever they are. It’s often a lack of adaptability that hinders successful benefits packages. But by ensuring that a range of resources are available to meet all needs, and providing access in an easier way, employers can ensure their workforce can get the most out of the benefits on offer, and employers in return can create a healthier, happier, and productive workforce.”
Karl Bennett, chair of the EAPA UK and wellbeing director at Vivup, said: “It is hugely rewarding to see that employee assistance programmes continue to be the most common health-related benefit.
“Accessing mental health support via traditional routes such as a GP has become increasingly difficult over the past few years. This directly impacts employee absenteeism and presenteeism. Giving employees access to quality therapeutic support 24 hours of every day allows the early intervention that can reduce the long-term mental health effects on the employee and their families.
Encouragingly, EAP providers are increasingly offering not just reactive support with access to counselling for those employees who have reached a point of crisis/need, but also proactive services. These focus on supporting employees before an issue starts to impact them or their employer.
“This additional level will see the benefits EAPs provide being high on the C-suite agenda for the foreseeable future.”
