HR Industry News

Organisations recognise importance of wellbeing strategies

— 18 July 2007 —

New research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has revealed that a record number of organisations are introducing wellbeing strategies to reduce sickness absence.

The CIPD’s annual absence management survey of more than 800 organisations revealed that 42% of them had implemented a wellbeing strategy, compared to just 26% the previous year.

The strategy has been prompted by an increase in the average annual level of absence, which climbed to 8.4 days per employee a year. It was eight days the previous year.

The survey also found that public sector organisations were more likely to have wellbeing strategies in place than those in the private sector.

On average, organisations spend 5.4% of their pay bill on employee wellbeing benefits. Ceridian’s Paul Avis adds “even with 1-2% of salary roll or as little as £60 per employee, employers can make serious inroads on wellness. It is just a pity more do not take the plunge and reap the benefits of increased productivity and attendance!”

CIPD employee relations adviser, Ben Willmott, said that the report shows employers are increasingly recognising the benefits that can be gained by supporting employee wellbeing.

It is becoming more evident that organisations are starting to manage employee health rather than sickness, not as a standalone wellbeing strategy but as an integral part of an overall wellbeing programme, he added.

According to the CIPD, wellbeing initiatives included counselling services, employee assistance programmes and support for giving up smoking.

Paul Avis agrees, “Integration of absence and associated policies, services and benefits is becoming more commonplace. Proactive promotion of EAP and counselling services can make a massive difference to both employees and the employer’s bottom line.”

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