Employees have emphasised the importance of health and well-being support from employers but have raised concerns about extended working hours despite flexible working models being essential for talent retention.
According to the Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey: The State of Work, workers are prioritising improved health and well-being support. Enhanced health insurance coverage, financial education, and holistic work-life balance help are among the most popular health services.
The research indicates a shift in the percentage of employees seeking enhanced health insurance coverage (39 per cent) and a policy that allows for virtual health consultations (35 per cent).
The survey also reveals the drawbacks of hybrid working, with 31 per cent of respondents reporting that they work longer hours when working from home, owing to the lack of a commute and routine. 70 per cent of people who worked in an office before the pandemic want flexible home working options, and more than a third (36 per cent) want flexible hours and working locations.
Women prefer WFH to males (48 per cent versus 43 per cent), millennials favour WFH (53 per cent), and those aged 35-49 enjoy it the least (39 per cent), according to the survey. Those who have children favour WFH (49 per cent) over those who do not (42 per cent), and middle management prefer WFH the most (52 per cent).
Employees who prefer to work in an office full or part-time expressed concerns about WFH, with 37 per cent believing that online communication is less successful than face-to-face and 18 per cent seeing virtual meeting fatigue as a problem.
Cigna Europe CEO Arjan Toor says: “The pandemic has significantly changed the landscape of flexible working, and it continues to evolve rapidly, create new challenges and opportunities for employers in the UK and beyond. It’s clear from our research that there is real demand from employees for more positive, flexible working options and that this corporate culture is becoming a more influential aspect of the workplace. With many organisations now competing for talent from around the world because they can work remotely, it’s never been more important for employers to support the Whole Health of their employees and to create an inclusive culture that better meets their needs.
