Employers have a clear role to play supporting the health and wellbeing of their people. Yet many employers are missing out on the benefits engaging employees in their health can have. Our research shows that the majority (85%) of UK workers think their employer has a responsibility to look after their health and wellbeing and over three quarters (78%) of employees would welcome their employer giving them support to think about this.
It demonstrates the overwhelming demand and desire employees have for improved workplace health and wellbeing. And it's not surprising when almost two thirds of employees (63%) said their work life currently has a negative impact on their overall health and wellbeing.
Employers are increasingly recognising that employees want to be healthier and fitter, but more needs to be done to help them achieve this. It won't just benefit the employee; in turn organisations will benefit from a workforce that is more engaged and productive, helping to drive business results.
Almost two thirds (60%) of UK workers admit if they felt happy and well at work they would be more productive and over half (55%) said they would feel more focused.
But we know that considering how to improve the health and wellbeing of an entire workforce can present a huge challenge - especially for organisations where employees are on the road, travelling the country or world and rarely in the office.
So how do businesses achieve this? Our research shows that three in five (58%) workers said they would be encouraged to think more about their health and wellbeing if their employer provided them with digital technology to help them to do this.
To help tackle the issue of improving health and wellbeing in the workplace, Bupa has harnessed the power of technology to create Bupa Boost, our new digital innovation designed to support employers to improve the health and wellbeing of their workforce.
Created off the back of demand from our corporate clients, Bupa Boost will support employers to embed a more positive and proactive health culture across their organisation - improving employee engagement and motivating entire workforces behind health and wellbeing initiatives in a fun, engaging and easily accessible way.
We know that gamification can drive engagement and long term behaviour change which is why we've taken a mobile approach to improving health and wellness. Through a mobile platform, employees are supported to set personal goals, track their progress against friends and colleagues and motivate and inspire them, as well as integrating data from other apps and wearables.
Meanwhile, employers can benefit from collective anonymised data allowing them to better understand the health and wellbeing priorities of their workforce. As a result businesses will be able to set challenges that aim to address employee needs or hold workplace initiatives on the health issues that matter most to their people.
Not only does improving the health and wellbeing of employees drive productivity, but it also helps employers to position themselves as an employer of choice, attracting and retaining good talent.
We believe that digital technology will help create a step change in the way UK businesses engage their employees in their physical and mental wellbeing. We know that a healthy workforce is a productive one, so there is a strong business case for employers to take action on the health and wellbeing of their employees in 2015.
For more information visit: www.bupa.co.uk/bupa-boost