Employee engagement linked to wellbeing

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents make a link between employee engagement and wellbeing in the workplace, but only 33% follow through with a wellbeing strategy, according to research by Edenred and EnergiseYou.

The research, Health and wellbeing at work, which surveyed 200 senior HR professionals, found that 47% of respondents said the health and wellbeing of their staff is good or excellent.

Fewer than half (46%) of respondents said they believe their health and wellbeing activities met their objectives, while 11% said they did not and 39% did not know.

The research also found that 76% said a lack of financial investment and organisational buy-in was a barrier in achieving wellbeing objectives.

Andy Philpott, sales and marketing director at Edenred, said: “There is a real opportunity for organisations to work harder to personalise and communicate wellbeing activities and benefits much more effectively.”

Oliver Gray, managing director at EnergiseYou, added: “With sickness absence and stress levels rising in UK workplaces, employee health and wellbeing can no longer be left off the agenda; it needs to be prioritised.

“By getting backing from those at the top, HR has a huge opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of staff and increase the profits of the business.”