Zarah ChoudharyResearch from Towergate Employee Benefits has revealed that 62% of employers plan to increase their focus on employee health and wellbeing over the next 12 months.
Employers are shifting towards a more strategic and targeted approach to workplace health and wellbeing, focusing on workforce needs, age, and gender.
Rather than a blanket approach, this support is becoming more tailored, with 58% of employers prioritising initiatives based on workforce needs, 52% focusing on age-specific support, and 52% introducing gender-specific benefits.
Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Employee Benefits, said that targeting support where it is most needed is an effective way to benefit both employees and businesses.
She added that the challenge for employers is ensuring they understand what their workforce actually needs so that wellbeing initiatives can have the greatest impact.
To refine their approach, businesses are using employee surveys and health risk assessments, ranging from simple questionnaires to full medical evaluations.
The research also highlighted a growing focus on gender-specific benefits, with more employers considering support in areas such as cancer, menopause, and fertility.
The options available to businesses in this area are expanding, covering education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Staying informed about these developments is becoming increasingly important for employers looking to remain competitive in the job market.
Clark said: “It is great that so many employers are looking to increase their focus on health and wellbeing this year, but with so many possibilities in terms of what support is available, employers need to take time to understand their workforce so that they can determine where support will be most effectual and valued.”
