The transformative impact of health benefits for every employee
In modern business, caring for every employee’s health is not just good practice, it’s a necessity. Forward-thinking leaders have embraced changes in work culture, living wage legislation and fairer contracts.
However, a hidden disparity often goes unnoticed: a health benefits hierarchy that favours managerial staff over frontline workers. This silent sentiment undermines the principle of equality in the workplace.
A pervasive health hierarchy
Health is a crucial component of employee productivity. In corporate Britain, health benefits are predominantly skewed towards higher-paid managerial roles. This trend raises a fundamental question: why aren’t health benefits routinely available to the entire workforce?
The NHS faces unprecedented pressure, with more than 7.6 million people on waiting lists. This affects employees and their families, especially those without private healthcare who face long waiting times for medical attention. Post-Covid-19 pandemic economic stagnation further exacerbates these challenges, with around 80% of employees exposed to NHS delays, affecting overall productivity.
The cost barrier in employee health benefits
Health benefits are polarised: either high-cost, benefit-rich private medical insurance (PMI) or low-cost, transactional employee assistance plans. With PMI often costing about 10% of a frontline worker’s salary, there is a significant affordability gap. This gap has hindered the provision of equitable health support for the whole workforce.
Health insurer Lime has harnessed its proprietary technology and insurance expertise to create Lime Oncall, a digital health insurance product. From private virtual GPs to diagnostics and cancer support, it offers solutions that are cost-effective and also accessible to the entire workforce.
While it cannot single-handedly resolve talent shortages or boost productivity, Lime plays a role in enhancing business resilience and attractiveness. By offering equitable health benefits, it ensures that every employee, regardless of position, receives care and support.
Empowering every employee with health benefits
The concept of Whole of Workforce is a commitment to the wellbeing of every individual in an organisation. It’s time for businesses to recognise the transformative impact of inclusive health benefits and take steps towards a more equitable, healthier and productive workforce.
Being a Whole of Workforce Health Workplace signifies that you offer swift healthcare access to real doctors for all your employees. You assist them in expediting the diagnosis and treatment process, and additionally provide financial and medical support in the event of critical illnesses such as cancer.
For more information about Whole of Workforce Healthcare visit Lime’s website.
In partnership with Lime
Whole of workforce health services that make a real difference. Affordable, accessible, simple.
