Wellbeing focus for UK businesses

Prioritising flexible working

A recent survey of employers conducted by Willis Towers Watson has found that 75 per cent of the 437 employers surveyed are focusing on employee wellbeing and prioritising flexible working, mentoring and training to enhance their benefits packages.

The wellbeing focus isn’t just on personal wellbeing although a third reported that they were prioritising stress and resilience management in order to tackle mental health concerns.

More than a third of interviewees were addressing financial wellbeing and a similar number concentrating on social wellbeing, promoting social action.

Two-thirds of the employers surveyed said they were looking to develop flexible working initiatives and training and career development opportunities.

It is widely recognised that positive wellbeing has an impact on productivity, efficiency and motivation but wellbeing has often been thought of as health related.

The focus on wider aspects that contribute to wellbeing is a useful consideration when addressing staff engagement.

Supporting this recognition, the results of the Office of National Statistics “Personal Wellbeing in the UK Report 2019” show there was a slight improvement in individual happiness in the last year and an improvement in average long-term anxiety ratings.

It could be that the message is starting to sink in. It is widely recognised that positive wellbeing has an impact on productivity, efficiency and motivation but wellbeing has often been thought of as health related.

The focus on wider aspects that contribute to wellbeing is a useful consideration when addressing staff engagement.

Supporting this recognition, the results of the Office of National Statistics “Personal Wellbeing in the UK Report 2019” show there was a slight improvement in individual happiness in the last year and an improvement in average long-term anxiety ratings.

It could be that the message in starting to sink in.