Workplace health and wellbeing policies explained
How are your employees doing?
And we don’t mean performance metrics in a spreadsheet somewhere — how are they feeling?
The past few years have been difficult for many people financially, emotionally and physically. It’s therefore more important than ever for employers to understand employee wellbeing and actively support it. As well as being vital to a workforce’s wellbeing, there are also business benefits.
Almost half (47%) of business don’t have a standalone wellbeing strategy. Yet a report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development reveals that mental health is the UK’s fourth-most common cause of short-term sickness absence and the biggest cause of long-term sickness absence. In England, there were 146,659 referrals to NHS talking therapies in May 2024, with 107,447 people waiting for an assessment.
Taking care of employees’ health, happiness and wellbeing can have a major return on investment in areas such as:
A workplace mental health and wellbeing strategy is a plan, pathway or roadmap for how you as a business manage employees’ mental health and wellbeing.
Above all, it doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. However, it’s key to bringing to life and embedding a culture of workplace wellbeing so every employee can thrive.
Mental health is a complex topic; however, a wellbeing strategy doesn’t have to be. For example, simple steps employers can take include:
None of these require major strategic business change but, as above, ensuring employee wellbeing can make a real difference to your staff.
Perfect for those unsure where to start or wanting to review their existing approach, our Workplace Health and Wellbeing Review examines your current workplace wellbeing strategy, then discusses how you could make changes to improve employee wellbeing.
Our wellbeing specialists work with you to make these improvements over 12 months, offering advice, training and support at every step.
At initial review, we determine what already exists and areas that aren’t being met, based on:
We’ve used these to create six standards to promote optimal employee health and wellbeing:
A company that brings in a Unum Workplace Health and Wellbeing Review can see numerous benefits, not least improving the working environment that their people need in order to thrive.
Without a wellbeing policy, there’s a risk of high levels of presenteeism and absenteeism. Clear wellbeing parameters can support with health, happiness and productivity in the workplace and so are massively important for the modern working world. If you’re a Unum GIP customer, book yours using the form below.
Two employers with a sizable number of employees recently underwent a Unum Workplace Health and Wellbeing Review. Here’s what they had to say.
“I’d recommend that employers with services through Unum engage with the Rehabilitation team as much as possible — they are so knowledgeable in the topics they discuss and use a delivery style that’s informative, friendly and well-rounded Overall, Unum provides great support for both employers and employees.” — BBI Solutions
“Partnering with Unum to provide our employees with GIP has made a big difference to the way we approach absence management and employee wellbeing. We’ve really benefited from being one of Unum’s Premier accounts, which gives access to our Account Manager Scott. Alongside our dedicated Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant, Claims Assessor and Rehabilitation Wellbeing Consultant, he’s been instrumental in helping us use every added-value service Unum has.” — DataFi
For instance, at initial review, we found 63% of companies met standard four — having good working conditions, benefits and a positive work/life balance. Whilst this is a good score, companies that worked with us throughout the year were able to increase this to 88% at final review.
At Unum, we’re proud that, for companies that completed a Workplace Health and Wellbeing Review and worked with us throughout the year to implement our suggestions:
Our Group Income Protection (GIP) policies come with our Mental Health Pathway built in. This offers support for both employers and employees dealing with mental health concerns in the workplace with a single access point for any queries.
Since introducing the Mental Health Pathway in 2018, we’ve had more than 1,000 referrals to our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team for help, support and signposting. Meanwhile, in 2023 our Vocational Rehabilitation Team has supported 97% of people referred to us with mental health concerns to either return to work or reach an otherwise agreed outcome.
Part of your workplace wellbeing strategy might include promoting resources available to employees. Depending on the Group Risk product you hold, there are various benefits accessible to employees:
Promoting workplace wellbeing makes your company a better, more attractive place to work. It’s good for current employees and for attracting future hires — it’s a positive thing to do all round.
1 Based on a Unum-commissioned Censuswide survey 20th September 2023 21st September 2023 amongst a nationally representative sample of 4,035 employed people
2 Help@hand is a digital, value-added service provided to Unum Limited (“Unum”) by Square Health Limited which connects employees of Unum customers to third party specialists who can help manage their, and their families’, health and wellbeing. Access is facilitated by Unum at no cost to the Unum customer and with no increase in premium. However, employees will be liable for charges for medication and delivery, referral letters and private fit notes. Unum may withdraw or change this service at any time. The service is entirely separate to the Unum insurance policy and is subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant third-party specialists. Unum will not receive any payment or commission from Square Health Limited arising from any employee involvement with Help@hand. Available to UK residents only.
3 Square Health Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 07054181 and has its registered office at Crown House, William Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1AT.
4 For mild to moderate issues. Number of sessions subject to clinical appropriateness. Should the service be no longer suitable, users will be directed to alternative appropriate support.