Ryan FowlerAccording to recent research from Towergate Health & Protection, one third of UK employers now consider health and wellbeing support crucial in attracting and retaining staff.
This shift is evidenced by 34% of employers noting a growing interest among potential hires in both the health and wellbeing support and the overall benefits package offered by companies. This interest now rivals traditional priorities such as salary, with only 40% of employers reporting that higher salaries are a key factor for potential employees.
Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Health & Protection, emphasised the changing dynamics: “The research confirms something of which we have long since been aware: that salary alone is no longer enough to attract and retain the best talent. Health and wellbeing support is now a key driver when people are choosing their employer.”
The study also reveals challenges in recruitment and retention, with 31% of employers finding it harder to attract talent and 28% struggling to retain staff. Furthermore, 38% of employers believe that offering health and wellbeing support is a decisive factor for people choosing to work with them, and 36% say it plays a crucial role in retaining employees.
Clark advises employers to actively promote their benefits from the recruitment stage through to induction, underscoring the necessity of making benefits known to maximise their impact.
The research also highlights the importance of targeted support, noting that 37% of employers find that specific health and wellbeing initiatives help recruit and retain key demographic groups. However, 30% of employers feel they do not offer sufficient support, impacting their recruitment and retention capabilities.
Additional findings indicate that 21% of employers believe the significance of the overall health and wellbeing package has grown as a deciding factor for employment. Mental health support and financial health support are also increasingly valued, with 20% and 13% of employers, respectively, observing rising importance in these areas.
Clark further noted the importance of communication in this new employment context: “In the post-pandemic working world, with hybrid working and a new focus on work/life balance, health and wellbeing support is more vital than ever in attracting the best talent from a range of demographics. There is more to health and wellbeing than putting the support in place: employers must then make sure employees know about the support, and are engaged with it, if they want it to help with their recruitment and retention.”
