More than four in ten (43 per cent) of UK companies do not have a formal health and wellbeing strategy in place, according to research by insurance firm Everywhen.
Research undertaken on behalf of Everywhen by Opinium in January among 500 HR decision makers across the UK showed that that for 18 per cent of companies, simply offering benefits is their strategy, and 13 per cent offer support on an ad-hoc basis according to need.
However, 51 per cent of UK companies do have a documented health and wellbeing strategy, which is regularly updated.
Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Everywhen, says: “For wellbeing support to have the most impact it must be part of a strategy that considers the needs of the workforce and the objectives of the company in offering that support.”
Everywhen urged companies to have a formal and regularly reviewed health and wellbeing strategy in place, claiming that this was the best way to ensure that the employees are supported in the most effective ways and that the company sees the benefits too.
According to previous Everywhen research, the greatest concern for both mental and physical health for those in the workplace remains for employees aged 61 and over, known as the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation.