Every employer, whatever the size of its business, has a legal obligation to take all reasonable steps to look after the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees.
Organisations need to carry out risk assessments to ensure that their employees do not work excessive hours and provide open communication channels so concerns can be voiced. They also need to create safe working environments, which means taking reasonable care to prevent personal injury, including mental or physical harm that can be caused by workplace stress. In today’s ‘always on’ working culture stress, depression and anxiety causes 9.9 million lost working days in the UK, according to the Health and Safety Executive.
One of the many benefits health cash plans offer is that they can support employers with their duty-of-care obligations. Health cash plans can provide employees with 24-hour counselling helplines and cashback for a variety of treatments. They can also help to reduce stress in the workplace, assist with health and safety compliance, and reduce the risk of litigation.
Health cash plan benefits
Health cash plans are a simple and affordable way for employers to look after the health and wellbeing of their workforce. Easy to implement, many health cash plans are designed to slot into existing benefits platforms and can either be employer or employee paid. The growing flexibility of health cash plans also means that organisations can choose the benefits that are most appropriate to them and create their own tailored health cash plan. After all, no two businesses are the same.
These are just some of the many ways health cash plans can help improve employee health and wellbeing.
Preventative benefits include: 24/7 counselling helplines that can support employees when they need it the most, providing professional advice on everything from stress to finances. In addition, some health cash plans promote a healthy lifestyle by providing discounted gym membership and online health assessments, while cashback on dental, optical and physiotherapy costs can also encourage employees to have regular check-ups and minor treatments that can prevent small problems from getting bigger.
In terms of health benefits, 24/7 virtual GP surgeries enable employees to speak to qualified medical professionals by phone or via webcam at a time and place that is convenient to them; cashback for massages and physiotherapy treatments can provide support for musculoskeletal conditions; employees can also gain cashback for health screens, hospital stays, specialist consultations and X-rays; and some plans also cover alternative therapies such as acupuncture and sports massages that can help to relieve pain.
Health cash plan providers are constantly looking at new ways they can support employees, employers and HR teams to proactively look after the health of their workforce. One way they do this is to offer additional optional services that can help to minimise risks and provide early intervention. These services include occupational health helplines, stress prevention programmes and assistance with fit notes, as well as return-to-work plans. Other services can help to provide access to a variety of professionals to make sure organisations are fully compliant with fast-changing legislation. HR teams can also access advice about employment law, risk assessments and health and safety.
By offering all of these benefits and much more, health cash plans can help organisations to meet their duty of care and proactively look after the health and wellbeing of their employees. By providing support at an early stage, they can help to reduce absence and improve employee motivation and productivity. So employees can enjoy peace of mind and know their physical and mental health is being looked after by their employer. Is it time you took a closer look at health cash plans?
Phillip Wood is executive director for sales and marketing at Health Shield
