Features

Feature: Why workplace wellbeing must move from access to targeted support.

Fertility may appear more frequently on employee benefits agendas, but treating it primarily as a benefit risks overlooking a much bigger workforce health issue.

From boardroom discussions about workforce health and psychosocial risk to evidence linking employee wellbeing with productivity and retention, health is now a business issue, rather than simply a personal one.

Virgin Active has reported a 21 per cent year-on-year increase in corporate membership, suggesting employer appetite for physical wellbeing support is growing. But perhaps more significant is the reason behind that growth.

Rising living costs, mortgages and household bills clearly contribute to the strain, but they don’t tell the whole story.

From systems of record to systems of work: why HR platforms could become the foundation of human sustainability 

When Radio 1 presenter Greg James announced he was taking time away from work following the death of his dog Barney, the response was overwhelmingly supportive. For many, it was a reminder that grief does not become less real simply because the family member who has died had four legs instead of two.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the workplace, promising to improve productivity, automate routine tasks and help employees work more efficiently. But while many organisations are accelerating their AI strategies, new research suggests a significant proportion of the workforce risks being left behind. 

As England prepares for its 1am World Cup clash against Mexico, many employers will already be anticipating another Monday morning challenge: higher-than-usual absenteeism. 

The Employment Rights Act 2025 has accelerated that momentum, introducing Menopause Action Plans as part of new Equality Action Plans for larger employers. While publication is voluntary during 2026, it’s expected to become mandatory for employers with 250 or more employees from 2027, marking a significant shift in how workplace support for menopause is viewed.

The Well Crowd spoke to Guy Clarkson, who was appointed Head of Online for Health Solutions at Aon UK earlier this year. We discussed AI, personalisation and why the industry may need to rethink how it measures success. Here's what he had to say. 

 The Well Crowd caught up with Mark Woodward, Head of Assessments & Innovation at neurobox, to discuss whether neurodiversity is exposing hidden barriers to talent, what psychological safety really means in practice and how employers can create workplaces that allow different thinking styles to thrive. 

Workplace wellbeing programmes are emerging as a major gateway into fitness, introducing millions of employees to health and wellbeing services they may never have accessed independently.  For Eamon Lloyd, VP and Head of Europe Partnerships at Wellhub, this shift represents one of the most significant changes the sector has seen in recent years.

The Well Crowd recently caught up with Jon Clover, Managing Director at Spire Workplace Health, to try and find answers to a growing challenge facing employers: why so many employees still suffer burnout, require long-term absence or need clinical intervention before receiving the support they need, despite unprecedented investment in workplace wellbeing. 

New research from Vitality suggests employees are reluctant to discuss mental health concerns with managers, raising questions about whether workplace support models remain too dependent on manager-led intervention. 

As employers continue investing heavily in AI, automation and digital HR systems, questions are beginning to emerge around whether workplace technology is improving employee wellbeing — or quietly intensifying pressure across the workforce. 

Men are dying younger, burning out quietly and avoiding support until crisis point. Yet across many workplaces, wellbeing strategies still appear designed for people who are already comfortable talking about health. This is a disconnect which is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.