According to research carried out by GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector, 75% of UK employers have heard of Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review, designed to address the rising economic inactivity in the UK.
According to research carried out by GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector, 75% of UK employers have heard of Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review, designed to address the rising economic inactivity in the UK.
Awareness is strong among larger organisations with more than 250 employees (86%), but it declines notably as business size decreases. Among micro businesses with 1-10 employees, fewer than half, just 45%, report having heard of the review, highlighting a significant awareness gap across smaller employers.
Awareness of proposals made within the review
Employers of all sizes who were aware of the review itself were also asked about their awareness of the proposals made within the review. Overall:
18% are aware that there have been proposals made but don’t know the details.
16% are aware of the proposals made but are awaiting further guidance and advice from the government.
16% are aware of the proposals made but intend to do some research to get up to speed.
Eleven per cent do not intend to take any action until it is mandatory.
“The Keep Britain Working Review will play a vital role in supporting employers and the wider economy in addressing the challenge of reducing the 2.8 million people who are economically inactive due to health conditions, by improving employee retention and returns to work. It is very encouraging to see that awareness of the review is already relatively high at this stage.
GRiD is also pleased to see the breadth of employers and the sectors they represent, which have proactively signed up to the Vanguard phase, a partnership between government and employers to test workplace health interventions to improve employee retention and reduce sickness absence.
All employers who offer group risk benefits (employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness), which likely includes some Vanguard employers, will understand how these products play a vital role in helping employees at work and in getting them back to work.
Group risk benefits provide a wealth of early interventions for physical and mental health, such as access to online GP services, Employee Assistance Programmes and nurse-led services, and are highly valued by employees and businesses. They have long provided a comprehensive foundation for many employee benefits programmes because, when fully utilised, they deliver proven results in helping people stay in and return to work.”
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD
Katharine Moxham concluded: “Employers get the most value from their employee benefits, including group risk, when they actively engage with the products, advisers and providers, and make sure their employees understand and use the full range of built-in support designed to keep them physically and mentally fit for work.
The Keep Britain Working Review has already generated strong awareness, which is encouraging. We would urge employers who are not yet engaged to get up to speed, rather than waiting for mandatory measures to be potentially introduced further down the line. A happier, healthier and more productive workforce is something every organisation should be striving for, and the sooner the better, and support is available to help achieve this.”
