Just under a fifth (19%) of UK employers and employees want the next government to take more action on staff wellbeing, according to research by industry body Group Risk Development (Grid).
Its study, which surveyed 500 UK busnesses with between five and 1,000 employees, as well as 1,000 UK workers, also found that 20% of employers believe that merging income tax and national insurance (NI) to create a simplified system is the most important issue for the new government to address.
The research also found that when it comes to promoting health and wellbeing among staff, employer respondents cited promoting a healthy work-life balance (64%), introducing more flexible-working initiatives (47%) and managing stress (38%) as some of their more important areas of focus.
Katharine Moxham (pictured), 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 government’s 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 which 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.”
Event: The impact of the election on emplloyee benefits
Employee Benefits is to host a new event in the week commencing 15 June, explaining all employers need to know about the impact of the election and new government’s policies on benefits. This will comprise a series of panel discussions from industry experts on key policy areas such as pensions, healthcare and pay.
More information will be available shortly.