A third of UK workers do not use their workplace health benefits at all and when they do many find them hard to access, according to research from Simplyhealth.
Its survey of 2,000 UK employees found 34% did not use their workplace health benefits at all, while the majority (53%) that did use them experienced barriers to accessing them.
A sixth (16%) of employees said they had to ask their line manager for information or approval beforehand, while more than one in ten (13%) needed pre-authorisation from their manager or insurer to use their health benefit.
A similar number (13%) found the process too complicated, while 9% said their pre-existing conditions were not included in the cover.
More than a third (37%) of employees said simplifying offerings would make them most likely to use the benefits.
This was followed by quick access to health services (36%), and cover for pre-existing conditions (22%).
Overall, a fifth of employees (20%) said they would be more likely to use their health benefits if they knew their claims would be paid quickly, and if it meant they did not have to take time off work for appointments (19%).
Six in ten (60%) employees said simple, accessible workplace health benefits made them happier at work and half (48%) said health benefits were an important reason for staying in their job.
For those not currently receiving workplace benefits, more than half (54%) said having them would make them more productive at work, while a similar proportion (48%) believed they would take fewer sick days as a result.
Paternalistic employers
Simplyhealth also surveyed 500 HR decision makers in UK businesses and found employers felt a responsibility to do more to support their workforce, with three quarters (73%) wanting to look after their employees’ health due to longer NHS waiting times.
Despite this, most employers (86%) had at least one concern or worry when putting in place health benefits for their employees.
For example, a third (31%) were worried they would have difficulty finding health plans for employees with pre-existing health conditions.
Paul Schreier, CEO of Simplyhealth, (pictured) said: “Employers recognise the huge responsibility they have to support the health of their people and the value it creates in terms of reducing long-term sickness and boosting productivity.
“Workplace health benefits are a big part of these efforts, but too often traditional offers are complex and difficult to access.
“The government’s 10-Year Plan for the NHS has put prevention at heart of ambitions for the health service, and businesses are very well placed to further those objectives –promoting preventative healthcare that improves productivity while easing pressure on the NHS.”
