Employers stepping up investment in wellbeing benefits

Many employers are devoting more resources to protecting their team’s welfare, a study has found. 

In a poll of HR professionals by Zest, 76% said their organisation has increased investment in wellbeing benefits over the last year. 

Meanwhile, 75% said their employer has introduced more physical or mental health benefits during the last 12 months. 

This could be, in part, a response to growing demand from employees for perks that enhance and protect their wellbeing. 

In fact, 71% of employers have seen a surge in demand for wellbeing benefits from their team throughout the last year. 

The good news for employers that are investing in employee wellbeing is that their efforts are being widely recognised. 

According to the Zest survey, 46% of employees believe their organisation offers more wellbeing perks than they did this time last year. 

And encouragingly, 54% said they feel their employer cares about their welfare. 

While the survey’s findings are hugely positive, there are still many people who want employers to do more to support their physical and mental wellbeing. 

For example, 41% of employees said they don’t believe their current workplace benefits package is adequate. 

And significantly, this view is strongest among younger employees, with 47% of 18 to 34-year-olds believing this is the case. 

This could have wider implications for employers, as many people are looking at employee benefits packages when they’re deciding where they want to work. 

Nearly two-thirds of employees said benefits have become more important to them when weighing up employment options. 

Again, this view was more widespread among 18 to 34-year-olds, as 72% of people in this age group said they feel this way. 

Meanwhile, 56% of employees said they would be willing to resign from their current job if they were offered a better benefits package by another organisation. 

Matt Russell, chief executive officer of Zest, said: “Employers not investing in their benefits packages or ensuring that the benefits on offer match the needs of employees will struggle to keep pace with competitors as the wellbeing revolution accelerates.  

“Those that fail in this area face a real struggle to attract and retain key talent if they don’t understand the wellbeing demands of their workforce.”