Young employees (18-34) are driving the need for workplace health support, with 78 per cent finding health cover necessary and 64 per cent perceiving it as their most significant benefit, compared to 46 per cent of those over 55, according to SimplyHealth.
According to the research, 71 per cent of younger workers would hesitate to switch jobs if health coverage wasn’t offered, and 66 per cent believe it would reduce sick days by enabling quicker access to doctors.
Three out of ten firms report that job candidates’ expectations for health cover are rising, and when health cover is granted, employers perceive a 37 per cent increase in satisfaction and a 33 per cent increase in productivity.
Furthermore, 76 per cent of younger workers believe that health insurance improves their productivity, and 71 per cent have taken time off for mental health reasons, compared to 32 per cent of older workers.
According to the data, younger UK workers are more likely to take time off for mental health difficulties, with 71 per cent reporting anxiety in the previous year, compared to 32 per cent for those over the age of 55. As a result, 33 per cent of employers see rising mental health days as a major challenge, and nearly 31 per cent of Simplyhealth’s support calls come from people aged 18 to 34.
Simplyhealth CEO Paul Schreier says: “Younger workers no longer view health benefits as a bonus, more, they expect them. While the UK continues to suffer from a workforce sickness epidemic and long NHS waiting times, the provision of affordable and accessible health cover at work has never been more important.
“I often hear our customers – across all age ranges – tell us how much they value quick and easy access to treatments for which they have often encountered lengthy NHS waiting times – for example physio, mental health support or GP appointments. It’s especially important for employers to put in place support for muscle and joint and mental health concerns, which are the most common reasons people take time off sick.
“Employers who want to attract and retain top talent, keep their workforce healthy, and improve business productivity, should recognise the importance of offering health cover. We urge the new government to acknowledge low-cost health cover as an effective tool to tackle in-work sickness and to reduce the excessive tax burden placed on health cover products to incentivise take up by businesses.”