Health & wellbeing research summary

Employee health and wellbeing – Research summary 19 November 2014 Gillian Pillans Research Director Corporate Research Forum Tel: 020 7470 7104 Mobile: 07799 133593 E-mail: Gillian@crforum.co.uk www.crforum.co.uk @C_R_Forum

Employee health and wellbeing – a concept whose time has come?

• Hot topic in business today • Around a third of interviewees currently developing a strategy; more are revisiting theirs • Organisations are thinking more strategically and holistically about health and wellbeing • Increasing focus on prevention, developing resilience, and mental health • Dealing with the 'whole person', including engaging families

What's the business case for employee health and wellbeing?

• Studies report returns on investment of up to six to one • Some evidence of productivity gains and absence reduction • Differentiation between disease management and health promotion • Three to five years for the programme to make a difference • Benefits for employer brand, employee value proposition and engagement

What are the key features of an effective health and wellbeing strategy?

• Clearly defined strategy, linked to business imperatives • Evidence-based, not 'random acts of wellness' • Reflect the workforce demographic profile • Balance disease prevention and management • Support lifestyle and behaviour change • Effective communications • Evaluation of outcomes

A culture of health

Whose responsibility is it? CRF conclusions • A move away from getting sick people better towards prevention, building resilience and positive experiences of work • Investments require patience and considered planning • Approaches need to be tailored and coordinated – avoid 'clusters of one' • Pay attention to culture and environment • Think about evaluation beforehand

Gillian Pillans Research Director Corporate Research Forum Tel: 020 7470 7104 Mobile: 07799 133593 E-mail: Gillian@crforum.co.uk www.crforum.co.uk @C_R_Forum