For years, organisations have talked about employee wellbeing as if it’s a priority. The problem? Employees don’t believe it anymore.

Research shows that 73% of UK workers have either quit their job or considered leaving because of poor wellbeing support. Yet despite widespread acknowledgement that wellbeing matters, most companies still aren’t investing in it. (Source: People Management)

It seems that leaders recognise the importance of employee health but are not proactive about supporting employee wellbeing.

Look beyond the perks

Many organisations attempt to provide a wellbeing programme. Flexible working, health benefits, mental health support and social activities are among the most common initiatives.

Do these policies work? Most companies have no idea.

While 97% of businesses see wellbeing as vital to success, 68% don’t measure the effectiveness of their wellbeing programmes. This means they simply don’t know if they are improving engagement, reducing burnout, or helping employees perform better. 72% of employers have no plans to invest in employee wellbeing in the next year, suggesting they feel they’ve done enough … or simply don’t care enough.

Without measurement and investment wellbeing become visible, well-intentioned, but ultimately ineffective.

Employees know!

Workers are increasingly aware of the disconnect between what organisations say and what they do.

Only 30% of employees believe their company’s actions truly align with its wellbeing messaging, which damages trust and fuels disengagement.

Potential employees prioritise mental health. So it’s surprising and disappointing that nearly half of hiring managers never discuss wellbeing with candidates during recruitment. The silence speaks volumes.

HR: the link between wellbeing and business

The companies that win the talent war will be the ones that stop treating wellbeing as a set of perks and start treating it as a business system.

That means:

• Diagnosing real wellbeing challenges with data.
• Designing interventions based on evidence.
• Embedding wellbeing into leadership, culture and daily work.

‘Wellbeing goes beyond yoga classes or mental health awareness days,’ says Emma Clack of Heneom HR in Stevenage and Welwyn. ‘It’s about building environments where people can actually thrive. Consistent wellbeing programmes with measurable outcomes give employers a genuine edge in retaining and attracting employees.’

Are you ready to support and retain your teams?

Would you like to attract the right candidates to your company?

Let’s ensure your approach to wellbeing works for your people and your business. Explore the options with a free initial discussion. Talk to Emma at Heneom HR.