Marvin OnumonuSupporting employee health and wellbeing helped 59% of employers meet the ‘social’ part of their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policy, according to GRiD.
55% said their chosen policies ensured fair treatment for all staff.
40% said benefits were extended to family members, and 35% said supporting staff wellbeing helped reduce the strain on the state.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said: “The social pillar of ESG is often seen as the hardest to deliver, as it can be less tangible, harder to measure, and lacks the same level of data and regulation as environmental or governance factors.
“It’s encouraging to see that so many employers are proving it can be achieved – by showing, in practical ways, that their people truly matter.”
Additionally, data showed that 63% of employers said working with employee benefits partners with a strong ESG approach was important or a priority.
70% reported that staff also wanted benefits partners to show a clear ESG commitment.
Moxham added: “Our research shows that ESG is not just a compliance requirement – it’s central to the values of organisations and their employees.
“For insurers and employee benefits consultants, this represents a strategic opportunity, as businesses increasingly recognise that ESG goes beyond regulation, and directly shapes reputation and how they are perceived.
“It matters not whether health and wellbeing support was in place first and helped organisations meet their ESG targets, or whether ESG commitments drove the introduction of stronger wellbeing measures, the outcome is the same: better support for employees.”
She said: “Promoting inclusive, health-positive workplaces benefits everyone – the organisation, its people, and wider society.”
