EXCLUSIVE: Business in the Community (BITC) has launched its 2014 Workwell benchmark, which aims to measure organisations’ management of employee wellbeing and engagement in the workplace.

The benchmark, which is based on a questionnaire, also aims to help employers create healthy, engaged and flexible workforces.

BITC will publish the results in April 2014. Its 2013 report highlighted the need to increase transparency of employee engagement and wellbeing, to show whether robust people practices are in place.

Organisations that participate in the benchmark will receive detailed feedback, which will provide analysis of their performance and make recommendations for improvement.

Stephen Howard, chief executive of Business in the Community, said: “We hope the 2014 benchmark will begin to show improvements in the way employers manage their people and report on their staff engagement and wellbeing, to create happier, healthier and, ultimately, more productive workforces. This is fundamental to businesses and individuals.”

Duncan Young, member of the BITC Workwell steering group and deputy head of sustainability at RBS Group, added: “As investors begin to see the business case for improved employee engagement, it usually follows that employers will too.

“Many of the UK’s biggest organisations are already acknowledging this by publicly disclosing more information on their human capital management. Good employee engagement attracts better staff and investment.

“At RBS, signing up to the BITC Workwell benchmark support package will help us improve our public reporting and drive development of employee engagement and wellbeing strategies.”

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