Nearly Half of UK Employers Still Lack a Formal Wellbeing Strategy  

Nearly half (43%) of UK companies still do not have a formal health and wellbeing strategy in place, raising concerns about how effectively employers are supporting their workforce. 

The figure comes from research by employee benefits provider Everywhen, which suggest that, while workplace wellbeing remains high on the corporate agenda, many organisations are still taking a fragmented or reactive approach rather than embedding wellbeing into wider business strategy. 

According to the research, 18% of employers said simply offering employee benefits is their wellbeing strategy, while 13% admitted they provide support on an ad-hoc basis depending on immediate need. Just over half (51%) said they have a documented and regularly reviewed health and wellbeing strategy in place. 

Debra Clark, Head of Wellbeing at Everywhen, said the findings highlight the importance of moving beyond standalone initiatives and towards a more strategic, evidence-led approach. 

“For wellbeing support to have the most impact it must be part of a strategy that considers the needs of the workforce and the objectives of the company in offering that support,” she said. 

The research points to a growing challenge for employers navigating an increasingly crowded wellbeing market. Without a clear strategy, organisations risk investing in disconnected benefits that fail to address underlying workforce needs or deliver measurable business outcomes. 

The findings also reinforce wider concerns across the workplace wellbeing sector around engagement, accessibility, and value. Reactive approaches may only capture the needs of employees who feel comfortable speaking up, potentially overlooking quieter or more vulnerable groups within the workforce. 

Everywhen argues that employers should take a more structured approach by analysing both employee wellbeing needs and wider organisational objectives — whether that is improving retention, reducing absence, supporting productivity, or strengthening workplace culture. 

The report also highlights the growing role of specialist advisers in helping employers navigate the expanding wellbeing landscape, where the volume of providers and solutions can make identifying effective support increasingly difficult. 

Clark added: “Everywhen urges every company to have a formal and regularly reviewed health and wellbeing strategy in place. This is the best way to ensure that employees are supported in the most effective ways and that the company sees the benefits too.” 

The findings come at a time when many organisations are under pressure to demonstrate greater impact and accountability from their wellbeing investment, particularly as conversations around workplace health increasingly shift towards prevention, organisational risk and long-term workforce sustainability.