The guide centres on the four pillars of wellbeing as outlined by the World Health Organisation – physical, mental, financial, and social – and offers practical steps employers can take to promote better health and wellbeing within each pillar.
This timely guide comes as the UK prepares for the lifting of Covid restrictions and as an increasing number of employees return to the physical workplace. The pandemic has had a huge impact on people’s physical and mental health, as well as on the national healthcare system and its ability to respond. This has created increasing health and wellbeing concerns for employers:
- In the UK a record 5.98 million people are waiting for non-urgent NHS treatment, and 312,665 have waited more than 52 weeks to start treatment[i]. It’s estimated that delays in cancer treatment could take until 2033 to clear, and an estimated 19,500 people with cancer in England have not been diagnosed due to missed referrals[ii].
- In 2021 the NHS forecast there would be 230,000 new cases of PTSD as a result of Covid-19, encompassing social care and medical staff, bereaved relatives, those who have been seriously ill and those living with the effects of domestic and sexual abuse during lockdown[iii].
- By 2030, the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts[iv] that depression will be the leading cause of disability worldwide. The Mental Health Foundation also states that mixed anxiety and depression has been estimated to cause one fifth of days lost from work in Britain[v].
- And a report by the National Institute for Health Research found that although people were suffering more mental health problems, many did not seek help[vi].
Mark Fosh, Director of SME at Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing said:
“The need for businesses to support the health and wellbeing of their employees has never been greater. The pandemic has created a climate in which employees are highly tuned in to their individual wellbeing needs – and many are looking to their employer for help in difficult times.
“Wellbeing was a growing priority before Covid-19, but it’s accelerated the need for businesses of all sizes to take urgent action. Promoting a culture of wellbeing not only makes for a healthier, happier workforce but also a more productive one.
“Focusing on prevention rather than cure has become a priority for many businesses, especially at a time when waiting time for NHS treatment are at record highs. Employee benefit strategies are adapting to reflect this and it’s important that employers review their current offering to ensure it remains relevant in the new world of work.’’
“Our guide is a vital resource for businesses of all sizes. Focusing on employee wellbeing can help businesses reduce absenteeism and increase engagement and loyalty and can play a major role in business success.”
To download a free copy of the guide, click here.
For more information, please visit www.howdengroup.co.uk
