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Employees increasingly uncomfortable discussing health at work, Health Shield finds

Its Britain at Work report found 84% of employers believed staff would be comfortable discussing physical health, compared with 67% of employees.

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Employees increasingly uncomfortable discussing health at work, Health Shield finds
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Employers overestimated how comfortable workers felt discussing health and wellbeing at work, research from Health Shield Friendly Society found.

Its Britain at Work report found 84% of employers believed staff would be comfortable discussing physical health, compared with 67% of employees.

Only 31% of employees said they would feel very comfortable discussing their physical health.

For mental health, 74% of employers believed workers would feel comfortable raising challenges, compared with 56% of employees. 

One in four employees said they would feel very comfortable.

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68% of employers believed staff would be comfortable discussing financial issues, compared with 46% of employees.

Men were more comfortable than women discussing mental health challenges, at 59% compared with 54%, and financial issues, at 52% compared with 42%.

Employees aged 28 to 35 were the most comfortable discussing all three topics, while those aged over 60 were the least comfortable.

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Paul Shires, director at Health Shield, said: “Many employers feel they have created an environment where employees can discuss challenges openly, but our findings reveal a clear disconnect between that perception and how comfortable employees actually feel.

“Employers shouldn’t assume people will always feel able to raise sensitive issues directly. 

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“Providing confidential, easily accessible health and wellbeing support gives employees another way to get help when they need it, without having to start a difficult conversation with their manager or HR team.”

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Shires added: “When employees struggle in silence, problems can escalate and ultimately affect their health, attendance and ability to perform at work. 

“Giving people different ways to access support, such as Employee Assistance Programmes, ensures they get the right help at the right time.”

Perry Timms, founder and chief energy officer of PTHR, said: “Health concerns don’t stay at home when people come to work. 

“When someone is struggling physically or mentally, it can consume attention, energy and confidence, and inevitably make it harder for them to be at their best through no fault of their own.

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“Employers who are willing to listen, show understanding and give someone a little space or flexibility when they’re struggling can make an enormous difference.”

Timms added: “People remember how their employer treated them when life was difficult. 

“Organisations that respond to health concerns with sensitivity rather than judgement can build credibility, trust and loyalty, while helping people feel more able to speak up when they are struggling.”

Emily Jones, head of workplace wellbeing at Broadstone Financial Solutions, said: “Effective employee benefits strategies need to be built on a clear understanding of what employees actually need, rather than assumptions about how supported they feel.

“Brokers have an important role to play in helping clients turn that feedback into benefits strategies that reflect the needs of their workforce and ensure investment is focused where it can have the greatest impact.”

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