Three-quarters of UK employers have heard of the government’s Keep Britain Working Review, but awareness drops significantly among smaller businesses, according to new research from GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector.
The review is designed to help address rising economic inactivity across the UK by supporting employee retention and helping more people remain in or return to work.
Research conducted by Opinium on behalf of GRiD found that 75% of employers are aware of the review. Awareness is strongest among organisations with more than 250 employees, where 86% have heard of it. However, awareness falls considerably among smaller organisations, with just 45% of micro businesses employing between one and 10 people saying they are familiar with the review.
Many employers are still getting up to speed
Among employers who were already aware of the Keep Britain Working Review, awareness of the proposals themselves remains mixed.
The research found that:
- 18% are aware that proposals have been made but do not know the details.
- 16% are aware of the proposals but are awaiting further guidance and advice from government.
- 16% are aware of the proposals but intend to carry out further research.
- 11% do not intend to take any action until it becomes mandatory.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, believes the review has an important role to play in tackling the UK’s growing health-related economic inactivity.
“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.”
Group risk benefits can support employee retention
GRiD also welcomed the range of employers taking part in the Vanguard phase of the review. The initiative brings together government and employers to test workplace health interventions aimed at improving employee retention and reducing sickness absence.
The organisation says employers offering group risk benefits, including employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness cover, already understand the role these benefits can play in supporting employees to remain in work or return following ill health.
According to GRiD, group risk benefits provide access to a range of early intervention services, including online GP appointments, Employee Assistance Programmes and nurse-led support. When employees understand and use these services, they can form an important part of an organisation’s wider employee wellbeing strategy.
Employers are encouraged not to wait
Moxham says employers will gain the greatest value from their employee benefits when they actively promote the support already available to employees.
“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.”
You may also like:
