For the 15th consecutive year, the majority (86%) of respondents believe they have a duty of care to encourage employees to achieve a sensible work-life balance, according to research by Employee Benefits.
The Employee Benefits Healthcare research 2020, which surveyed 200 HR decision-makers, found that this was followed by ensuring employees take their full holiday entitlement (77%), helping employees to reduce stress (69%), and maintaining mental resilience (67%) have also consistently remained important among respondents over the years.
Even though the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has had a significant impact on our lives, not much has changed when it comes to the top obligations and focus for employers towards their employees in 2020.
The proportion of respondents that offer an integrated wellness strategy, incorporating physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing has remained relatively consistent since this question was first asked in 2017.
This year, however, there has been a slight movement that sees 39% take an integrated, holistic approach, compared to 32% in 2019 and 33% in 2018.
The proportion that are planning to move towards an integrated strategy has decreased significantly, with 25% planning to do so compared to 35% last year. All aspects of employee wellbeing have now proven to impact key business issues, which is even more pertinent with the Covid-19 pandemic having caused an instant transient workforce. Furthermore, the impact of one area of wellbeing on another, for example the toll financial stress can take on mental and even physical wellness, particularly in the current climate, suggests that employers that take an inclusive approach are likely to reap the benefits.
Click here to download the Employee Benefits Healthcare research 2020
