In Mercer’s review of the landscape of health and
wellness benefits for employees in 2012, Naomi Saragoussi comments: “The
challenge of reining in costs while still offering attractive benefits will
mean that employers must explore more resourceful and creative ways to manage
financial expenditure and ensure best value for money. There is a growing trend
towards employee wellbeing initiatives, increased employer-employee cost sharing
and a move towards employees deciding how they want their benefits to be
shaped.”
In 2012, employers should look at benefits such
as gym membership, private medical cover, targeted health screening and
lifestyle coaching as a way to reduce employee absenteeism, lower
health-related costs and enhance productivity. Sickness absence in the UK is a
significant hindrance to productivity and competitiveness and a major cost to
companies every year. Stress is, for the first time, the most common cause of
long-term sickness absence. Supporting the health of employees through wellness
initiatives can result in improved fitness, reduced levels of stress and
enhanced confidence at work.
Dr. Wolfgang Seidl of Mercer adds, “The health
and wellbeing of the workforce feeds into productivity. It is more economical
to look after employees’ health in the workplace than allowing health care
costs to spiral out of control, including insurance costs.”
Private medical insurance news: 5 February 2012
