Jessica O'ConnorLegal & General Retail has launched the second edition of its Chief Medical Officer Report, which explores how and why Group Income Protection (GIP) could help contribute to organisational diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals.
It aims to provide a framework to help intermediaries discuss this with their clients, in a way that also ensures a focus on organisational culture.
Legal & General said that GIP could represent a scalable solution – by being broadly accessible – that can help employers improve DEI outcomes.
GIP has been designed to support DEI goals by intervening early with personalised support, with a view to help prevent short-term absences becoming long-term.
If a long-term absence cannot be avoided, where suitable, GIP also provides access to vocational rehabilitation that considers the needs of the whole person.
Featuring an introduction by Dr Tarun Gupta, chief medical officer for UK protection at Legal & General Retail, the report included insights from a wide range of experts, in-house and independent.
Vanessa Sallows, group protection claims and governance director at Legal & General Retail, said: “What could be more equitable and inclusive than providing a benefit that’s designed to not discriminate, one which aims to support employees to stay in good work, whatever their health condition or disability; invisible or not.
“Accompanied by added value benefits that also support the wellbeing of employees’ immediate families, providing access to services such as a virtual GP, physio and mental health services and more.
“However, to fully support DEI goals, GIP needs to be provided to all employees, not just the management team.
“Illness and injury don’t discriminate by level of seniority. Neither should benefits.”
Dr Gupta added: “For the benefits of diversity to be felt by people and organisations, the conditions for equity and inclusion need to be created.
“GIP has an important role to play in this. As it is designed with no barriers to access, GIP can not only afford valuable financial peace of mind, but also everyday wellbeing support, and access to a vast range of vocational clinical expertise when sickness or injury strikes.
“We see the difference that our ‘Be Well. Get Better. Be Supported.’ framework makes to people, helping them to stay well, and to return to good work as quickly as possible, where appropriate.
“Supporting people to stay in good work – with all the financial, emotional and social benefits that come with good work – represents equity and inclusion in action, in our opinion.
“It’s been an honour and a pleasure to help bring together a huge amount of experience and expertise, as part of the second edition of the CMO report.
“We hope it helps spark, and support, wider client discussions to help grow the GIP market in line with business needs.”
