Employers Lack Knowledge About Worker Well-being

Research from Towergate Health & Protection finds that 58% of organisations do not have a good understanding of their employees’ health needs.

By Maggie Mancini

More than half (58%) of employers do not have a good understanding of their employees’ health and well-being needs, according to research from Towergate Health & Protection. Just 44% of employers strongly agree that they have a good understanding of employees’ financial needs, followed by 43% who strongly agree they have a good understanding of their employees’ mental health needs, 42% their physical health and well-being needs, and 40% their social well-being needs.  

The survey went on to ask how employers find out what health and well-being support their employees would find beneficial. These include: 

• feedback through line managers or directly (45%); 
• staff surveys (43%); 
• employee forums or focus groups (41%); 
• formal reviews (41%); and  
• informal or anecdotal feedback (38%).  

Employers use a number of methods to find out what support their employees require in terms of their health and well-being, but more could be done to ensure that the right assistance is being given.  

It’s vital that employees are asked how they are and what support they need, and that employers do not just second-guess. Utilising both formal and informal feedback is a good idea, the report finds. It’s also important to ensure that employees are regularly asked about their health and well-being support needs, as requirements can change often and quickly.  

It is sensible for employers to talk to experts about what is available in terms of support, and how best it can be implemented. Tailoring the support towards the specific workforce is important too as different demographics will have different needs. And, of course, communication of what is available and how it can be accessed is always vital. 

“Recognition of the challenges with which employees may be struggling could be better across all four pillars of health and well-being,” says Debra Clark, head of well-being at Towergate Health & Protection. “It is vital that employers obtain a better insight into the needs of their workforce, so they are able to better support them.”