Wellbeing support boosts productivity 

A recent study suggests employers are increasingly recognising the strong business case for introducing health and wellbeing policies that support their staff. 

According to the survey of 352 business leaders conducted by health insurer Vitality and the CBI, employee wellbeing is now viewed as a top priority by almost two-thirds of organisations, with only business performance and staff retention scoring more highly on this measure. Furthermore, nearly seven out of ten businesses that have introduced health and wellbeing support reported an increase in employee productivity.  

Over half of respondents, however, did say that tailoring support to the needs of different people within their organisation was a challenge. In addition, more than a quarter said they did not currently measure health and wellbeing within the workplace; and the report’s authors suggested this lack of data could make it difficult for employers to understand how to support staff. 

The study also found that just over half of all surveyed businesses felt hybrid working is the most supportive environment for productivity. In total, four out of ten respondents said their business had introduced a formal hybrid working policy since the pandemic, while seven in ten had given employees greater flexibility to work in a way that supports their wellbeing.