Aon has pointed to findings from its latest UK Benefits and Trends Survey, showing that health and wellbeing strategies are increasingly being recognised as an essential priority by UK employers as the health needs of workforces intensify.
The firm surveyed 240 UK professionals working in human resources, reward, compensation, and benefits roles, representing companies of varying sizes and industries.
Results showed that 41 per cent of respondents reported that they have a formalised health and wellbeing strategy in place, with a further 31 per cent planning to implement one. At the same time, employee expectations around wellbeing support were also seen to be rising.
Stephanie Taylor, principal consultant in health and benefits in the UK for Aon, says: “Employers are operating against a challenging UK healthcare backdrop, with worsening health across the population, an increasing prevalence of complex medical conditions and mounting pressure on the NHS.
“This is coupled with an aging workforce in which individuals are living and working longer – and we know that with age there is a higher likelihood of illness and need for healthcare. As a result, many employers are placing greater importance on supporting their employees’ health and wellbeing, recognising that it is critical to both workforce resilience and performance.”
The survey findings also indicate that demand for private medical cover continues to increase in the UK, with respondents reporting that it is placing significant pressure on the quality of the claims experience and pricing.
Nearly a quarter of employers (23 per cent) have introduced or increased the excess on their medical policy in the last five years. However, more than a quarter (28 per cent) of organisations have enhanced the benefits available within their medical schemes, while a further 15 per cent plan to do so within the next 12–18 months.
Neurodiversity benefits were among the most commonly reported of recent additions to health and wellbeing policies.