Jessica O'ConnorOnly 14% of employers strongly agreed that they have a good understanding of their employees’ needs across all four pillars of health and wellbeing: physical, mental, social and financial, research from Towergate Employee Benefits revealed.
The findings showed that most employers are taking steps to learn what support staff would find helpful, with 86% saying they ask employees about their needs.
However, the research highlighted a gap between asking and understanding.
Employers typically rely on a mixture of methods, including staff surveys, feedback gathered via line managers or directly, formal performance reviews, employee forums or focus groups, and informal conversations.
Yet these approaches are not always providing the rounded picture required to meet staff needs effectively.
Debra Clark, head of health and wellbeing at Towergate Employee Benefits, said: “Good practice is very much about supporting all four pillars of health and wellbeing: physical, mental, social and financial, and to do this, it is vital that employers have a strong, rounded understanding of needs, across the board.
“There is something wrong when 86% of employers are asking their employees what support they require but only 14% have a good understanding of those requirements.
“Reviewing their methods for establishing the health and wellbeing requirements of their employees may help employers to gain a better understanding of their ever-evolving needs.”
She added: “For health and wellbeing support to have the positive impact it should, employers need a good understanding of their employees’ needs and what is available to support these needs.
“This knowledge must then be kept up to date, using a variety of methods, at regular intervals.”
