Nine out of 10 employers said they would value more support around absence management and wellbeing, according to new research.
The findings, from L&G’s group protection business, found that this coincides with employees also looking for better help and support around this issues.
L&G’s chief medical officer described this as a “seize the day” moment for the income protection industry, with clear demand for products and services offered.
Overall, L&G found that 82 per cent of employees want proactive return-to-work support from their employer following an illness — with half (49 per cent) of respondents saying employers should offer it as standard, and a a third (33 per cent) stating this should be offered as an added benefit.
L&G said that these responses remain consistent whether employees are manual workers, managers or owners and proprietors of a business, and across these different groups at least
seven out of 10 said it made sense that proactive return-to-work support is offered via the employer.
In order to deliver this 94 per cent of employers said they would value more support from advisers or insurers in relation to wellbeing and absence management.
L&G claims & clinical development director – group protection, Vanessa Sallows says: “Employee needs assessments often happen when someone is already preparing to return to work. Many employers are already looking at ways to provide support throughout an employee’s absence. With the right support from vocational rehabilitation clinicians and other specialists, employers can help their employees access practical, personalised support sooner, which can reduce the length of absence and make returns to work more sustainable.
“We see this reflected year after year in our group income protection return-to-work outcomes, and have done consistently for the last two decades”
To help financial advisers and clients achieve maximum value from income protection, in terms of proactive return-to-work support, L&G today launches the second instalment from its fourth chief medical officer (CMO) report: Keep Britain Working: Absence Management.
This brings together case studies and expert insight from L&G and independent specialists to show how vocational rehabilitation and early intervention can support better outcomes through group income protection.
It also helps financial advisers build the business case for proactive absence management support, comparing the costs of standalone vocational rehabilitation and occupational health with group income protection, and setting out the wider impact of employee absence, including on retirement savings.
Dr Tarun Gupta, chief medical officer, UK protection, L&G adds: “A ‘seize the day’ rallying cry came through loud and clear from independent experts contributing to the latest edition of our chief medical officer report.
“Income protection, whether individual or group, has evolved, so the conversation needs to evolve accordingly. It’s what UK employees and employers want, as evidenced by our research. The CMO report is designed to support and guide financial advisers to have these important conversations with clients.”