Workplace wellbeing strategies still receiving investment despite double dip recession

With the average employee absence costing an employer £600 (i) a year, it's essential that organisations understand the importance of implementing a workplace wellbeing strategy that helps keep employees happy, healthy and at work.

Latest statistics published in the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)/Simplyhealth Absence Management survey 2012, show that despite the double dip recession just under a fifth of organisations have increased their wellbeing spend since last year, and nearly a half are continuing to invest the same amount in their wellbeing strategies.

Helen Dickinson, People Director at Simplyhealth comments: "Wellbeing strategies should be developed to fit the organisation, its culture and its employees. Most organisations surveyed in the latest CIPD/Simplyhealth Absence Management report provide employees with one or more wellbeing benefits. Access to counselling services (65%) and employee assistance programmes (56%) are most common.

"Not all wellbeing initiatives require significant investment. A good balance of benefits and wellbeing schemes will help keep workforces healthy, motivated and help to reduce absence levels. With the government tightening its belt on spending it is not surprising to see that public sector organisations have opted for more lifestyle related benefits such as advice on stopping smoking or healthy eating. The report shows that there is a greater take up of insurance for employees within the private sector. With the survey showing signs of growth in the number of organisations offering health cash plans and private medical insurance."

"Benefits such as health cash plans are a simple and affordable way of helping employees to claim money back for trips to the dentist, optician and for complementary therapies such as physiotherapy which help support everyday health needs. Our Simply Cash Plan is just £1 per employee per week and includes a 24 hour helpline. Plus for a small additional cost of 15p per employee per week the plan can include face to face counselling services and support for managers. These affordable benefits are a great way of showing employees the value placed on their individual wellbeing."

Simplyhealth provides health cash plans, dental plans, self funded health plans and private medical insurance to 20,000 companies in the UK. Our plans can help recruit and retain staff, manage absence and help employers fulfil their duty of care needs. Health cash plans can also be used as cost effective alternatives to pay rises forming a valuable benefit within employee remuneration packages.