When asked which benefits employers are most likely to offer, only 49% of respondents said they consider benefits that support all employees. GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector, is advocating for a significant increase in this figure.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, emphasised the importance of this issue:
Employees are a company’s biggest asset, and all need to be supported. It makes good business sense that employee benefits are targeted at the needs of the masses and not the few.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD
Employee benefits were once seen merely as perks, traditionally focused on rewarding senior management. Indeed, thirty-one percent of employers admitted they prioritise benefits for their management teams. However, the landscape of employee support has evolved. The scope of benefits has broadened, and they are now designed to be inclusive, offering support to all staff members.
Physical, mental, or financial ill-health can affect anyone, regardless of their position within a company. Illness does not discriminate by level of seniority, thus underscoring the need for comprehensive support for all employees. Levels of absence and long-term sickness are at a record high, and this is reflected in the increased utilisation of support services within employee benefits packages. The necessity for accessible support for all employees has never been more critical.
Moxham further elaborated on the industry’s perspective:
As an industry, we see the difference that support for physical, mental and financial health makes: from early intervention and prevention, helping employees to continue to work, to supporting people if they’re unable to. Of course, this benefits the individual, but it’s a great benefit to the business too.
Group risk insurers offer a wide range of health and wellbeing support services that can be accessed without the need to make a claim. These services are designed to help companies provide continuous support for their employees’ health and wellbeing. They are versatile and can be utilised daily by employees, line managers, HR professionals, and business owners alike.
The message from GRiD is clear: fostering a supportive work environment through inclusive benefits is not just about enhancing individual employee wellbeing. It’s about creating a resilient, productive workforce that can drive business success. By expanding the reach of employee benefits to encompass all staff, companies can ensure that every employee feels valued and supported, leading to better overall organisational health.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.