Employee Benefits poll: More than a third of Employee Benefits readers support staff mental health during the winter months by offering access to an employee assistance programme (EAP).
A straw poll of www.employeebenefits.co.uk readers, which received 28 responses, also found that 32% of employers were offering flexible or remote working to assist with employees’ emotional wellbeing during the colder and darker months.
Just over one in 10 (14%) respondents create awareness surrounding mental health or stress issues with focused communications, and a further 14% arrange social events to boost employees’ moods.
The options of creating breakout spaces or providing more natural light during the shorter days were not as popular, with only 4% of responding employers doing so, and none stated that they have hosted wellness workshops or increased leave allowances to support mental health in winter.
In March 2019, research by Canada Life Group Insurance found that 33% of respondents felt flexible working was the best method to improve wellbeing during the winter months. The research, which canvassed 1,002 employees, also found that for those under 30, 35% would want to work from home during the winter.
How does your organisation reward employees during the festive season? Have your say in the latest Employee Benefits poll…