Why health and wellbeing should be top of the agenda year round
When it comes to reviewing employee benefits, it’s understandable that budget and cost are a big factor to organisations. Yet some make the mistake of thinking that every day health plans are just an additional perk, rather than seeing them as a preventative health offering, which can enable you to have a healthy workforce with reduced absence.
Sometimes it’s the preventative benefits that are difficult to pin ROI to. These include benefits like cash plans, dental plans and other wellbeing benefits.
What’s often unknown is how much these products can help businesses. Given that the average cost of absence to employers is £552 per employee, per year, according to GP Patient Survey – National summary report, January 2016, it’s not surprising that employers are focusing on promoting a preventive approach to healthcare in a bid to reduce their expenses.
With a cash plan, not only can employees claim towards treatment costs, they also have access towards services such as 24/7 GP helplines, reducing the amount of time spent off work. Dental plans are also a highly regarded benefit; Denplan’s health and wellbeing survey 2016 showed that 64% of employees without a dental plan would consider one if their employer offered it.
More than just an employee benefit
Many employers are now faced with a multi-general workforce. In some cases, employees’ ages range from 16 to over 70. Being able to support loved ones of all ages will become increasingly important for employees in future as many people are stretched financially and emotionally by young families, supporting higher education costs or elderly parents. Cash plans and dental plans can be extended to include cover for the family.
Simple and affordable springs to mind
Arranging these plans is practically admin free and quick to set up. Price is often important, however service and product understanding are key to a successful benefit. Successful schemes can often see take-up of around 75%, so, just offering these health plans as a benefit (at no cost to your business) can still have a very valuable impact.
Engagement is key
Although employees will remember that they have these plans when they visit their dentist or physiotherapist, it pays to promote these types of plans more than once a year. Using health and wellbeing campaigns throughout the year can remind employees of the importance of looking after their health and the value of the benefits on offer. Focused campaigns can increase engagement and encourage employees to sign up to a dental or cash plan.
A healthy workforce is a productive workforce and by offering everyday health plans, companies can really unlock employees’ potential.
This article was provided by Simplyhealth.
In partnership with Simplyhealth
Our health plans make it easy for people to maintain their health&wellbeing.
