Work is bad for wellbeing, say half of UK employees – Thomsons Online Benefits

Half of UK employees say their workplace has a negative impact on their physical, mental and financial wellbeing, according to a survey of over 2,000 office workers. UK employers fall short when it comes to supporting mental health in the workplace, despite several recent high-profile campaigns.

Almost 40% of employees say that improving mental wellbeing is a life goal, yet only 18% feel that the workplace benefits programme supports this aim. Similarly, over 40% of workers want to get fit and healthy, yet only 20% state that their employer is helping in this ambition.

Luke Prankard, practice lead, health and wellbeing at Thomsons Online Benefits, comments:

‘Keeping employees fit and healthy is business critical, but employers need to think beyond this and align their people and benefits strategies to promote holistic employee wellness, addressing employees’ mental, physical and financial health. Supporting employees in achieving their life goals will help hit each of these fundamental pillars, while providing a fantastic employee experience . . . Employees that say that benefits needs are met receive 76% more wellbeing initiatives and have 58% more life goals supported.’
‘Global Employee Benefits Watch 2017/18’, Thomsons Online Benefits, June 2017: www.thomsons.com/resources/whitepapers/the-widening-gap-between-expectations-and-reality/