Around 45 per cent of employees are now working on a hybrid basis which presents challenges with communicating and accessing health and wellbeing support, according to Towergate Health & Protection.
Towergate Health & Protection’s concerns for employee health and wellness are highlighted by a survey of 500 HR decision makers from companies of all sizes across the UK.
The research found that only 12 per cent of businesses claim to have no hybrid employees, while another 12 per cent claim that all of their staff members currently work on a hybrid basis.
According to Towergate, all industries are affected, and it’s not only office roles; respondents from the construction sector reported that hybrid workers made up an average of 26% of their workforce. Hybrid workers make up 32 per cent of the workforce in the hospitality and entertainment sector and 28 per cent in manufacturing.
The need for assistance is greater than ever as requirements change, according to Towergate. Cancer diagnoses have declined, NHS treatment wait times have risen, and GPs are difficult to access. With more access to digital GPs, virtual physio, online counselling, screening, home-testing kits, and fast-track access to assistance, there have been major advancements made to increase accessibility, and many businesses now need to reevaluate the help they provide.
Towergate Health & Protection head of specialist consulting Debra Clark says: “Without the traditional workplace there is no hub for the delivery and communication of health and wellbeing benefits. Ensuring that employees are well looked after and feel equally valued is a major issue.”
Clark adds: “One of the biggest issues with hybrid working is in ensuring employees still feel valued. This is the case for those who are working mostly from home and missing the social interaction of the office, and also for those who are mostly back to their original workplace and feel that they may be missing out by not working so much from home. Health and wellbeing support can actually be enhanced by hybrid working, but only if it is delivered effectively and communicated regularly.”