"When employees struggle in silence, problems can escalate and ultimately affect their health, attendance and ability to perform at work."
- Paul Shires - Health Shield
Health Shield’s latest Britain at Work report has found that 84% of employers believe their employees would be comfortable discussing their physical health, while just 67% of employees agree and only 31% say they would feel 'very comfortable' doing so.
This extends to mental health, with 74% of employers believing employees would be comfortable discussing mental health challenges, compared with just 56% of employees, while only 25% would feel 'very comfortable.'
The study also found that 68% of employers believe employees would be comfortable discussing financial issues, compared with just 46% of employees.
59% of men are comfortable talking about mental health challenges, compared to 54% of women, while 52% of men feel comfortable talking about financial issues, in contrast to just 42% of women.
Employees aged 28-35 are the most comfortable discussing all three topics, while over-60s are the least comfortable.
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Paul Shires, director at Health Shield, said: "Many employers feel they have created an environment where employees can discuss challenges openly, but our findings reveal a clear disconnect between that perception and how comfortable employees actually feel.
"Employers shouldn’t assume people will always feel able to raise sensitive issues directly. Providing confidential, easily accessible health and wellbeing support gives employees another way to get help when they need it, without having to start a difficult conversation with their manager or HR team.
"When employees struggle in silence, problems can escalate and ultimately affect their health, attendance and ability to perform at work. Giving people different ways to access support, such as Employee Assistance Programmes, ensures they get the right help at the right time."
Perry Timms, HR influencer and founder and chief energy officer of PTHR, added: "Health concerns don’t stay at home when people come to work. When someone is struggling physically or mentally, it can consume attention, energy and confidence, and inevitably make it harder for them to be at their best through no fault of their own.
"Employers who are willing to listen, show understanding and give someone a little space or flexibility when they’re struggling can make an enormous difference.
"People remember how their employer treated them when life was difficult. Organisations that respond to health concerns with sensitivity rather than judgement can build credibility, trust and loyalty, while helping people feel more able to speak up when they are struggling."
The report contains broker insight from Emily Jones, head of workplace wellbeing at Broadstone Financial Solutions, who said: "Effective employee benefits strategies need to be built on a clear understanding of what employees actually need, rather than assumptions about how supported they feel.
"Brokers have an important role to play in helping clients turn that feedback into benefits strategies that reflect the needs of their workforce and ensure investment is focused where it can have the greatest impact."
