No Result
View All Result
Benefits Expert
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Alerts
  • Events
  • Contact
  • NEWS
  • IN DEPTH
  • PROFILE
  • PENSIONS
  • GLOBAL REWARDS
  • FINANCIAL BENEFITS
  • HEALTH & WELLBEING
  • DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
  • PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
Benefits Expert
  • NEWS
  • IN DEPTH
  • PROFILE
  • PENSIONS
  • GLOBAL REWARDS
  • FINANCIAL BENEFITS
  • HEALTH & WELLBEING
  • DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
  • PODCAST

Employers lean into wellbeing but miss employees’ top priority

by Benefits Expert
30/07/2024
financial wellbeing, money health check, ill piggy bank
Share on LinkedInShare on Twitter

Employers are prioritising physical and mental wellbeing support for workers but they are missing a trick when it comes to offering the wellbeing benefits staff really need, a study by WTW has found.

The Wellbeing Diagnostic Survey by WTW revealed a disparity between the focus of employer wellbeing programmes and employee needs for financial wellbeing support. 

Survey data showed that in response to concerns about the mental and physical wellbeing of employees, 72 percent of UK employers prioritise mental health support and 45 percent prioritise physical wellbeing.

However, 59 percent of employees said financial wellbeing support was their top area of concern, yet this is one of lowest priorities for employers (24 percent).

Above average stress 

WTW said that employers often offer foundational support for financial wellbeing, through life and disability insurance or retirement and savings programmes. However, fewer employers offer financial education or more personalised support when making financial decisions around spending, borrowing and saving.

More than two fifths of employees (42 percent) said they are suffering with moderate or major issues in at least two areas of their wellbeing. WTW said poor health in any area of wellbeing can mean more absence, presenteeism and burnout, as well as hitting work engagement levels.

The study also found that 59 percent of employees have above average levels of stress, while 40 percent have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Investment disconnect 

RELATED POSTS

bonus

Ofwat gains new powers to ban exec bonuses at poor performing firms

Steve Herbert, consultant, ambassador, reward, benefits, HR strategy

Systemic shake-up: it takes HR to do things right

Kazune Kozen, clinical and data analytics lead in health and benefits at WTW, said: “Increasing mental health issues have brought employee wellbeing to the forefront of employers’ minds in recent years.

“Companies have been leaning heavily into physical and mental wellbeing to make it a core part of their human capital strategy. We know that these investments have improved employees’ perceptions of these initiatives.

“Organisations that are highly effective at employee wellbeing often report better business outcomes, such as enhanced financial performance and reduced employee turnover. However, there is a disconnect between the wellbeing areas that employers are investing in and what employees are saying they need help with.”

Drop in effectiveness

WTW said that while employer programmes help some employees live healthier lifestyles, the effectiveness of these initiatives overall has fallen from the employees’ perspective since the pandemic, from 38 percent in 2022 to 27 percent now. 

There is a disconnect between how effective employers and employees think these programmes are, WTW said. The majority of employers (69 percent) think their wellbeing programmes are important for employee health, compared to just 29 percent of employees.

Human capital strategy

The survey found evidence that employers are working to improve wellbeing support with 35 percent planning to make wellbeing a foundational element of their human capital strategy in the next three years, compared to only 8 percent today.

Almost two thirds of employers (65 percent) are planning to boost communication about their wellbeing programmes and connect wellbeing to company culture (56 percent) to increase employee health and wellbeing.

Gaby Joyner, head of employee experience Europe at WTW, said: “The delivery of wellbeing initiatives is just as important as the content of the programmes.

“Communication, accessibility and creating a connected culture that links back to company and employee values is key to building a stronger employee experience when it comes to wellbeing.

“It’s important that employers focus on getting the right priorities in place to support the varied needs of their workforce, as well as creating an enabling environment that promotes the services they make available.”

Next Post
Julie-Burns-Endometriosis-UK.

How HR can help reduce the high cost of endometriosis

Julia Gillard, Former Prime Minister of Australia and chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership

‘Name and shame’ on gender pay gap, says former Australian PM Gillard 

SUMMIT

BENEFITS UNBOXED PODCAST

Benefits Unboxed
Benefits Unboxed

The podcast from Benefits Expert, the title for HR, reward and benefits professionals.

Seasoned professionals examine the challenges and innovations in today’s employee benefits, reward and HR sector. Every episode, they will unbox a key issue and unpack what it really means for employers and how they can tackle it.

The regulars are Claire Churchard, editor of Benefits Expert; Carole Goldsmith, HR director at the Royal Horticultural Society, and Steve Herbert, consultant and rewards & benefits veteran.

Benefits Unboxed – Wellbeing: HR is supporting everyone, but who’s supporting HR?
byBenefits Expert from Definite Article Media

As the professionals responsible for helping their organisations navigate NI hikes, rising employee stress levels and looming redundancies, the pressure on HR, reward and benefits teams has never been greater. 

HR is expected to lead with strength and compassion. But who is supporting the supporters?

In this episode of Benefits Unboxed, co-hosts Claire Churchard, Carole Goldsmith and Steve Herbert explore the emotional and ethical pressures HR face today, from managing redundancies to implementing complex legislation. They discuss why HR’s own wellbeing may not be the first topic of conversation, the risks that poses to employers, and the practical steps businesses can take to better support the wellbeing of the people who support everyone else.

This conversation shines a light on the resilience of the profession and why looking after HR is not just the right thing to do, but a business imperative.

Benefits Unboxed – Wellbeing: HR is supporting everyone, but who’s supporting HR?
Benefits Unboxed – Wellbeing: HR is supporting everyone, but who’s supporting HR?
22/05/2025
Benefits Expert from Definite Article Media
Search Results placeholder

GUIDE TO CASH PLANS



CLICK TO REQUEST A FREE COPY

OPINION

Steve Herbert, consultant, ambassador, reward, benefits, HR strategy

Systemic shake-up: it takes HR to do things right

Chris Andrew, EVP, Gallagher

Rewriting the deal: how hybrid and remote work is changing EVPs

Pat Sharman, Everyone Matters

What CEOs don’t know about workplace culture, but should

Jo Werker, CEO, Boostworks

Six proactive ways HR can build a happier, healthier workplace

SUBSCRIBE

Benefits Expert

© 2024 Definite Article Limited. Design by 71 Media Limited.

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact

Follow Benefits Expert

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • In depth
  • Profile
  • Pensions
  • Global rewards
  • Financial benefits
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Diversity & Inclusion