Health and wellbeing support with 24/7 access to a personal doctor, was the number one employee benefit for almost half (48%) of UK workers in 2022, according to new data from HIVE360.
Analysis of usage data of the company’s employee benefits and rewards app Engage has revealed the most used features, services and support, which confirms requests for GP and doctor support services were the app’s most used service last year.
Further health and wellbeing services were also popular, notably access to personal mental health counselling services and a crisis support helpline, health and fitness advice and gym memberships, and carer support including dedicated resources such as telephone advice and online guidance for working carers.
Access to the app’s extensive shopping and on-mobile discounts and on-line training courses were also popular.
Throughout 2022, Engage had 1.5 million user sessions and an average 85% engagement rate.
“The user habits and trends revealed by our analysis of the Engage 2022 data are in many ways unsurprising, given the national and global economic challenges of last year,” comments HIVE360’s CEO David McCormack. “Record numbers of people are struggling to make financial ends meet, cover the cost of food, heat, energy and fuel, and access healthcare services when they need them.”
Recent research (the Joseph Rowntree Foundation) reveals that almost one third of UK workers – approximately 8.2 million people – have experienced low work productivity due to financial concerns, whilst a ProGlove-commissioned survey finds that 42% highlight exhaustion and fatigue as significant challenges every day.
“As living costs continue to soar, especially on everyday items and purchases, workers are seeking out financial services, resources, and benefits that represent genuine help,” says David.
“Workers’ already fragile mental and physical health and wellbeing is worsening because of the economic uncertainty, workplace stress and burnout, along with financial worries, and this is clearly reflected in Engage’s data usage trends.
“Everyone is battling to get appointments with their family doctor, and the sustained growth in the number of users accessing the 24/7 GP and personal doctor service and its ‘click to call’ access to an NHS GP, reflects this and is a sign of the times. The number of users accessing Engage’s library of health and wellbeing advice, guides and resources has never been higher.
“When it comes to supporting employee mental health and wellbeing, Employee Assistance Programmes are a fantastic option for businesses to fulfil their duty of care as an employer, particularly when they involve counselling, and other employee benefits that help to support your staff’s wellbeing,” he says.
“HIVE360 continues to make enhancements and additions to the support available to workers via Engage to maintain addressing the biggest issues and support the top concerns facing UK businesses and their workers right now.”
Available in 120 languages, the HIVE360 customisable, comprehensive, employee benefits and wellbeing package Engage includes My Health, My Money, My Discounts, and My Work features, and is provided as standard to businesses that outsource payroll and employment administration to the company.
Visit HIVE360 For more information.