Digital health services could help solve employee absence crisis, says Unum UK
Research found that digital health services resolved concerns faster, reduced absence and empowered employees to manage their wellbeing.
Unum UK said its Help@hand app has reduced sickness absence and restored lost productivity for UK employers.
New research found three-quarters of users resolved health concerns quicker using the app compared to booking other care.
Among those who used the remote GP service, nearly two-thirds (63%) took less time off and 12% said they would have taken time off if they hadn’t seen a doctor.
84% felt supported with guidance on next steps, while almost two-thirds (63%) said their confidence in managing their health and wellbeing had improved.
Saumya Barber, head of proposition development at Unum UK, said: “UK sickness absence is at its highest in 15 years, and employees are losing an average of 9.4 days annually – a 62% jump since before the pandemic.
“Our data shows a clear opportunity: high quality, digital health services like Help@hand from Unum close gaps in care, speed up recovery and help ease the growing economic strain of absence.
“Unum estimates that poor employee health costs SMEs over £28 billion every year in lost output.”
Barber added: “Help@hand connects physical, mental and lifestyle support together in one place, stopping small issues from becoming big problems.
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