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As workplace stress continues to rise, British workers want their employers to do more to boost their physical and mental wellbeing, according to new data from international recruitment firm, Robert Half.
The firm’s latest Salary Guide – which reveals skills commanding salary premiums, evolving pay expectations, and the importance of emerging perks and benefits – highlights a growing expectation for companies to offer health-focused benefits as part of their employee value proposition. This sentiment comes at a time when data from the Priory reveals that 79 per cent of people in the UK feel stressed at least once a month.
According to Robert Half, workers are seeking support from their employers to help tackle the strains on their mental wellbeing. More than half (54 per cent) have stated access to mental health resources and employee assistance programmes would influence their decision to join or stay with a company, while a further 48 per cent are drawn to companies offering stress reduction initiatives. With a third of businesses still not offering stress reduction support according to the data, it’s clear that tackling workplace burnout has become an urgent priority.
On top of the mental health support workers are seeking, a large number have also indicated a desire for additional perks to help improve their physical health. Forty-nine per cent of employees say access to gym memberships influences their decision to join or stay with a company. Over a third (36 per cent) also value in-office physical activities such as yoga and group exercise sessions, which 41 per cent of employers currently don’t offer.
For employees working remotely, there also remains a desire for perks to keep them active. Thirty-six per cent of respondents indicated that access to virtual physical activity platforms is desirable, while 42 per cent of employers still don’t feature this in their perks and benefits packages. Amid rising concerns about burnout and work-life balance, these findings underscore a clear call to action for businesses to prioritise health-focused benefits as a core part of their employee offering.
Matt Weston, Senior Managing Director UK & Ireland at Robert Half, commented: “This data reinforces what we’ve long believed – employee wellbeing must be at the heart of every organisation’s culture. When businesses prioritise wellbeing, they don’t just retain talent, they empower people to thrive.
“These findings reflect a broader shift in employee expectations, where wellbeing is no longer seen as a perk but a priority. With wellbeing clearly now a key factor in talent attraction and retention, companies that embrace holistic support for their workforce are better positioned to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.”
The way we work has changed – yet, many organisations are still relying on rigid, one-size-fits-all tools to manage desks and meeting rooms, according to a new study from workplace management solutions provider, Matrix Booking.
Spreadsheets, calendars, and generic booking software may have worked once, but they’re struggling to keep pace with today’s flexible, hybrid workforce. The result? Wasted time, frustrated employees, and expensive underutilised space.
Matrix Booking’s new study, ‘One-size-fits-all booking systems don’t work for today’s workforce’, explores why current systems are falling short – and how organisations can reimagine workspace management to boost efficiency, employee experience, and cost savings.
To download your FREE copy click here.
