Three in five (63%) UK employers and over three-quarters (78%)† of employees believe that health has a direct effect on productivity, according to research by Aviva Health.
The annual Health of the workplace report found that 47% of employers said that the impact of the recession has made them realise the importance of looking after the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
A third (35%) of business leaders said they would like to further improve staff motivation and morale over the coming year, and a fifth want to improve staff wellbeing.
A third (31%) plan to achieve this through encouraging a better work-life balance and nearly a fifth (18%) plan to increase spending on health-related benefits.
The report found that return on investment (ROI) is a key priority for employers with 54% responding that they would invest more in health-related benefits if they could see a tangible ROI.
However 29% said they offer the same benefits that they have always offered, and just 18% offer benefits their staff want.
Only 8% said they make changes to their benefits to combat the key causes of sickness absence in their business.
Dr Doug Wright, head of clinical development at Aviva UK Health, said: “It is great to see employees are taking control of their health and looking after themselves.†
"It is also encouraging that many employers are taking more responsibility for the health of their workforce as they recognise how it directly impacts on productivity.
“However, employers need to be sure that they are spending their money wisely by using invaluable insight, such as their sickness absence data, to help them understand which benefits will best meet their organisations’ specific needs.
“This will not only help benefit staff health, but could also have a positive effect on the bottom line.”
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