One in three British employees are not using their workplace health benefits, and more than half of those who do say they face barriers to access, according to new research.
The findings, from a survey commissioned by healthcare plan provider Simplyhealth, highlight a disconnect between the support available and employees’ ability to use it. Among those who do engage with their benefits, over half (53 percent) said the process was not straightforward.
Barriers include needing to ask a manager for information or approval (16 percent), requiring pre-authorisation from an insurer or line manager (13 percent), and finding the process too complex (13 percent). Almost one in ten said their pre-existing conditions were not covered.
Employees said they would be more likely to use health benefits if they were simpler (37 percent), quicker to access (36 percent), and included cover for existing health issues (22 percent). Faster claims payments (20 percent) and not having to take time off work to attend appointments (19 percent) were also seen as important.
Employers want to offer more support
Three quarters (73 percent) of employers said they want to take greater responsibility for their employees’ health, especially as NHS waiting lists continue to grow. But most (86 percent) admit to having at least one concern when setting up health plans, with 31 percent saying it is difficult to find cover for staff with existing medical conditions.
“Employers recognise the huge responsibility they have to support the health of their people and the value it creates in terms of reducing long-term sickness and boosting productivity,” said Simplyhealth chief executive Paul Schreier. “Workplace health benefits are a big part of these efforts, but too often traditional offers are complex and difficult to access.”
He added that simplifying support was one of the first steps companies could take. “The government’s 10-Year Plan for the NHS has put prevention at heart of ambitions for the health service, and businesses are very well placed to further those objectives – promoting preventative healthcare that improves productivity while easing pressure on the NHS.”
Access to health support linked to retention and productivity
The research also found that 60 percent of employees say health benefits make them happier at work, and nearly half (48 percent) say they are a key reason for staying in a job.
Among workers who don’t currently receive health benefits, 54 percent believe they would be more productive if they had access to them, and 48 percent think they would take fewer sick days.
Improving access to healthcare is also seen as part of the wider economic picture. Government figures show that 2.8 million working-age adults are currently out of work due to long-term health problems, and more than 200,000 people left work for health reasons in 2023–24. Analysts estimate the impact of long-term sickness is reducing the size of the UK economy by 10 percent and costing £150 billion a year.
Making healthcare easier to access
Simplyhealth says it is working to remove some of the common barriers that stop employees from using their benefits. Its plans include 24/7 GP access, mental health support, health cash plans and pay-as-you-go services covering everything from diagnostics to neurodiversity assessments. Most services do not require GP referrals or pre-approvals, and the majority include cover for existing conditions.
The company argues that simple, preventative healthcare delivered through the workplace can reduce pressure on the NHS while helping businesses tackle sickness absence and boost long-term productivity.
