Future-proofing workforce health: strategies that stick
The UK health gap, the disparity in employment rates and opportunities between healthy workers and those with health conditions, is a growing challenge for businesses.
With one in five working-age adults now out of the labour force due to health reasons, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), employers are under increasing pressure to address the challenge of workforce ill-health.
Those that act now will not only help close the UK’s health gap but also attract, retain and empower a healthier, more resilient workforce.
Packed with expert insights, statistics and real-world case studies, REBA’s new report, Bridging the UK health gap: employer-funded health benefits in a changing landscape, considers the pressures facing employer-funded health models and how they can better address ill-health as it becomes a business-critical issue.
This trilogy of reports outlines how employers can rethink health benefits as strategic tools for workforce sustainability and performance.
It explores how employers are moving toward preventive, data-driven, and inclusive approaches, and how strong governance can balance cost with impact. It’s a practical roadmap for adapting employer-funded health benefits to meet the needs of tomorrow’s workforce.
To dig deeper into specific areas, the report is split into three informative parts to give you a thorough understanding of the benefits governance, accessibility and business resilience elements that are fundamental to supporting workforce wellbeing and business performance.
- Part 1: Benefits governance for employers explores what ‘the UK health gap’ means and how it’s impacting talent strategies and long-term cost management. It also looks at what sustainable benefits governance looks like and the need for better, more collaborative data insights.
- Part 2: The health divide investigates how employers can improve access, inclusivity and affordability in health benefits, from using digital tools to unbundling services. In addition, it examines connecting health pathways, strengthening communication, and democratising support to meet diverse workforce needs.
- Part 3: Forecasting future health costs explores how organisations can forecast and manage future health costs by analysing risks, claims and expenditure. It also examines balancing costs with long-term value, responding to legislative shifts, the role of prevention, and different funding approaches.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, REBA
Supporting the reward and benefits community to pursue best practice and drive excellence in their strategies
