The Government's Keep Britain Working Review has brought workplace health and employee wellbeing firmly into the spotlight. While many larger organisations are already familiar with its recommendations, recent research from Group Risk Development (GRiD) suggests awareness is significantly lower among smaller employers.
The review was commissioned in response to a growing challenge. Around 2.8 million people in the UK are currently economically inactive due to long-term ill health, placing increasing pressure on businesses, public services and the wider economy.
Its message is clear: employers have an important role to play in helping people stay healthy, remain in work and return to work sooner when illness or injury occurs.
Looking beyond traditional employee benefits
Many organisations already offer employee benefits such as Group Income Protection, Group Life Insurance or Employee Assistance Programmes. However, these benefits are often viewed simply as financial protection.
In reality, they can provide much more.
Many Group Income Protection policies include access to rehabilitation support, absence management guidance, mental health services, virtual GP appointments and structured return-to-work programmes. These services are designed to support employees at an early stage, helping them recover more quickly while reducing the impact of long-term absence on the business.
For employers without an in-house occupational health function, these additional services can provide valuable expertise that may otherwise be difficult to access.
Why it matters now
The Keep Britain Working Review signals a continued shift towards prevention and early intervention, encouraging employers to create healthier workplaces and provide better support for employees experiencing health issues.
Rather than waiting for future guidance or legislative change, businesses can take practical steps today by reviewing the support they already have in place.
Ask yourself:
- Do you know what health and wellbeing services are included within your existing employee benefits?
- Are your employees aware of the support available to them?
- Could your current benefits be helping you reduce absence and improve employee wellbeing more effectively?
Often, the biggest opportunity isn't introducing new benefits, but making better use of those already available.
Supporting healthier workplaces
Investing in employee wellbeing is about more than meeting expectations. It can help improve employee engagement, reduce sickness absence, support productivity and demonstrate a genuine commitment to your people.
As the Keep Britain Working Review continues to shape conversations around workplace health, now is an ideal time for employers to review their employee benefits and ensure they are delivering maximum value for both their business and their workforce.
If you'd like to understand how your current employee benefits support the objectives of the Keep Britain Working Review, the Clear Employee Benefits team would be happy to help.
