Almost four in 10 employers have increased virtual healthcare support during the pandemic, according to research fromgroup risk industry body Grid.
The research found 38% of businesses had increased support that can be accessed remotely such as virtual GPs and virtual physios.
And 59% of employers said the change in working patterns to a more remote or hybrid approach had also affected the way they supported the health and wellbeing of staff.
Almost half (49%) said they had made it easier for staff to access support and benefits remotely such as via apps and online and 43% said they had introduced benefits to support the mental and physical health of remote working employees.
The research was carried out by Opinium during January among 501 HR decision-makers and 1,212 employees at UK businesses.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for Grid, said: “Employee benefits providers and, in particular, those that offer health and wellbeing support, were really swift to respond to the challenges presented by the pandemic. The pace of change has been breath taking.
“We are now in a situation where many employee benefits, including embedded support within employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness, have improved in two distinct ways.
“The method of delivery has been expanded to include additional digital channels to meet the support requirements of employees, no matter where or when they need it.”
But Moxham added the type of support on offer has also broadened, with some services becoming more mainstream.
“Secondly, the type of support has also broadened: for instance through the likes of online physiotherapy, nutrition and fitness advice; meditation and mindfulness apps; computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); and access to virtual GPs and nurse practitioners,” she continued.
“Some had been available previously, but have now become much more mainstream.
“Employers may be under the illusion that they offer really innovative wellbeing support but they may be surprised just how much things have moved on if it hasn’t been reviewed for a number of years.
“The repercussions of the pandemic are very much still in evidence and employers have a duty to ensure they are providing the very best wellbeing support available.”