One in three employers only promote wellbeing support when employees ask for it 

Almost one in three UK employers only direct employees to health and wellbeing support when it is requested, despite concerns that many workers may not seek help or be aware of the support available. 

Research from employee benefits provider Everywhen, based on a survey of 500 UK HR decision-makers, found that 32 per cent of employers rely on employees asking for support before signposting them to relevant health and wellbeing services. 

The findings suggest many organisations are taking a reactive rather than proactive approach to employee wellbeing communications, potentially limiting engagement with benefits designed to support workforce health. 

Meanwhile, 13 per cent of employers said they do not actively encourage employees to use health and wellbeing support at all. The figure rises to 19 per cent among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Everywhen, said relying on employees to request support can create barriers to engagement. 

“Relying on employees to request the health and wellbeing support they need has issues, not least that they may not want to ask for help – and definitely wouldn’t if they do not know what support is available,” she said. 

“It’s almost a waste of time having benefits in place if no one knows about them.” 

The research found employers are using a range of methods to increase awareness of wellbeing support. 

Thirty per cent produce wellbeing calendars linked to awareness days and events, while 29 per cent promote support through their company intranet. A quarter (25 per cent) provide access through an employee benefits platform or app. 

Other approaches include appointing health and wellbeing champions (23 per cent), sharing employees’ lived experiences (19 per cent) and running in-person events with health and wellbeing specialists (21 per cent). 

Employers are also working with external providers to improve engagement, with 21 per cent using advisers or suppliers to support written communications and 17 per cent involving them in workplace events. 

The findings also highlight differences between larger organisations and SMEs. 

More than a third (35 per cent) of large employers provide wellbeing support through apps or digital platforms, compared with 19 per cent of SMEs. Similarly, 36 per cent of larger organisations have wellbeing champions, compared with 16 per cent of SMEs, while 31 per cent offer webinars, versus 13 per cent of smaller businesses. 

Clark said using multiple communication channels is essential because employees often only pay attention to wellbeing messages when they need support. 

“It is good news that a wide variety of approaches are being used to encourage employees to seek health and wellbeing support if and when needed, but generally more employers need to be implementing more methods of communication and promotion to engage with more employees regarding the health and wellbeing support available. 

“This is the best way to ensure that the support in place has a positive impact for the employee and the company alike.” 

The findings reinforce a growing challenge for employers. While many organisations continue to expand their health and wellbeing offering, improving employee awareness and engagement remains a significant hurdle, with communication increasingly recognised as being just as important as the benefits themselves.