The UK is in the midst of an occupational health crisis, with the Office of National Statistics reporting all-time record numbers of working-age adults are out of the workforce due to long-term sickness.
Progress will require employers to monitor wellbeing data, yet many workplaces fear their employees find this intrusive.
The good news is that new data published this week by progressive insurance company YuLife, in conjunction with YouGov, has found that a majority (59%) of UK employees prefer to stay with employers that track and measure their wellbeing.
What gets measured gets managed
Other thought-provoking insights from the report include:
There is a generational shift: Among the UK’s youngest cohort of workers, aged 18-24, some 71% want employers to monitor their wellbeing, compared to just 45% among over 55s.
Despite record investment in employee wellbeing, only 9% of employees have given feedback on wellbeing initiatives and over half consider it unlikely that their organisations would take their feedback into account.
Data is available but untouchable: 69% of HR decision makers say they have access to wellbeing data such as absenteeism, employee activity rates and mental health check-ins. Yet only 1 in 5 believe this data is sufficient to make or advance a business case.
Data for HR success: 73% of HR decision makers say that being data-driven is a key priority for the next year. Additionally, 90% think they will be more effective with their initiatives by having data to support them.
Transparency is essential to build trust: 74% of working adults say their organisation collects employee data via surveys, yet 33% feel that employers are not transparent about how they use employee data.
Commenting on the research findings, Sammy Rubin, CEO and Founder, YuLife said:
“Today, more than ever, it is crucial for employers to meaningfully look after their people. Employers are now able to harness data and technology to drive scalable, purposeful changes to the wellbeing of their employees and organisation.”
“This survey demonstrates the need for employers to embrace a culture of improvement and make a lasting impact with a data-driven wellness programme. Employees are looking for personalised experiences and by continuously monitoring the impact of employee wellbeing, employers can ensure benefits offered are aligned with what the workforce wants. With this in mind, organisations can continue building and strengthening their employee value propositions, as well as adapting to changing wants and needs.”
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