Employers have made major strides in expanding access to healthcare support for their people. Digital GP services, mental health platforms and broader wellbeing benefits are now common across many organisations.
But despite this progress, workforce absence and productivity pressures continue to rise. CIPD data finds UK employees were off sick for 9.4 days on average in 2025- a steep increase from 7.8 days in 2023 and 5.8 days pre‑pandemic.
Even with broader access to workforce health benefits, many employees still aren’t getting the right care at the right time. This raises a tougher question for reward and benefits leaders: is access alone enough to shift workforce health outcomes?
Today’s workforce is managing health challenges that span life stages and responsibilities- from caring for children or ageing relatives to navigating menopause, mental health pressures or family health concerns.
These realities mean that health support needs to function as a connected journey, not a collection of standalone benefits
Key discussion points
● Why increasing healthcare provision isn’t always translating into improved workforce productivity
● How employee health needs are evolving across a multi-generational workforce
● The limitations of disconnected benefits and how health journeys are driving new solutions
● Practical steps to build more coherent, responsive health support.
Drawing on emerging insights and employer experience, this discussion will explore how organisations can move beyond traditional benefits models to build health strategies that better support employee wellbeing, engagement and productivity.
Thank you to our strategic partner Simplyhealth for supporting this REBA webinar
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