Simplyhealth research: Employers fail to show they care about employees’ health and wellbeing

Employers fail to communicate that they care about the health and wellbeing of employees, according to research by Simplyhealth.

The Engaging Employees Through Health and Wellbeing Report found that 43% of employees do not feel their employer looks after their physical health at work, compared to 14% of employers.

In addition, almost half (47%) of employees said their employer does nothing to support their emotional wellbeing, but only 13% of employers agree.

Almost two-thirds (62%) of employees believe their workplace does not support their financial wellbeing, compared to 2% of employers.

The research also found that health and wellbeing has a direct impact on loyalty in the workplace. Three-quarters of employees who feel their employer cares a great deal about them describe themselves as loyal. However, this drops to just 3% for those that feel their employer does not care.

Three out of ten of employees whose employer does not care said they were actively looking for work elsewhere, a number seven times higher than those who do feel their employer cares about health and wellbeing.

James Glover, corporate sales and marketing director at Simplyhealth, said: “We believe that employers which address physical, emotional and financial health and wellbeing could improve engagement, and ultimately the productivity of their people.

“Wellbeing is highly valued by employees and a key driver in their level of job satisfaction, loyalty and motivation.

“If employers fail to communicate that they care, they could lose talented people as soon as the job market starts to recover.”

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