Men’s engagement with workplace health support is more complex than it appears, says wellbeing expert

Saumya Barber (pictured), wellbeing lead at Unum UK, said men’s engagement with workplace health support is more complex than it appears, with key differences in how and when men access services. 

Marking Men’s Health Awareness Week, Barber said there is a perception that men are disengaged from their health, but data showed the reality was more nuanced. 

Barber said: “Workplace health support is relatively evenly split between men and women. The difference is how and when men engage.

“Men are significantly less likely to use preventative services. According to Unum’s data, they account for just 35% of lifestyle coaching sessions and under a third of nutrition consultations and personal training support, via Help@hand. 

“Instead, engagement tends to happen later, when a problem is already affecting day-to-day life or work.”

Barber added: “That shift from early, preventative support to later-stage intervention is where risks become more serious, more complex, and harder to manage.

“This isn’t happening in isolation. Nearly half of men say they feel pressure to ‘tough it out’, and a third worry that speaking up could make them appear weak. 

“When you combine that with practical barriers like time, access and convenience, it becomes clear why preventative support is being underused, even when it’s available.”