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Brits call on employers to take responsibility for health

03 September 2008

A significant number of employees in the UK believe their employers ought to offer greater healthcare benefits, a new survey has revealed.

Bupa reports that while the popularity of workplace pensions has fallen by six per cent this year, there has been a 40 per cent increase in demand for private medical insurance (PMI).

Over half of those surveyed called for employers to play a greater role in meeting their health and wellbeing needs, the firm stated.

Commenting on the findings, Ann Greenwood, director of business markets at Bupa Health Insurance, said: "The rising popularity of workplace health benefits, particularly PMI, reflects changing attitudes to personal healthcare - people are now keen to have more control of their healthcare options rather than leaving them to chance."

However, the expert said the way workplace health provision is treated under the current tax system is proving to be an "obstacle and a strong disincentive" for businesses.

Research by the firm showed more than half of employers it surveyed would be willing to invest in employee health provisions if "fiscal disincentives were removed", Ms Greenwood added.

Last month, the Department for Work and Pensions published research revealing 90 per cent of people with health problems could return to work if their employers follow "good health care and workplace management" principles.