Are you keeping your staff's health in check?

Today, health and well-being programmes are no longer limited to the annual flu vaccination and sports game. Nowadays, more employers are offering a broader range of programmes, from allowing time for exercise, providing on-site eating areas, to hosting health education talks and coaching. However, the 2017 Cigna 360° Well-being Survey revealed that there are still gaps to be filled.

Despite more than half (52%) of the 14,219 respondents considering a GP's consultation fees as basic health coverage, only 34% of  them reported that it is included in their employee package - an 18% gap. The survey also found that there was a 16% gap for hospitalisation benefits as well as an 8% gap for health check-ups, all of which were considered basic benefits by employees.

Perhaps due to the lack of coverage, the survey also revealed that overall only a third of respondents saw a doctor or dentist when feeling ill. Zooming in on the different countries surveyed, the highest figures were from Korea (49%), Taiwan (43%), Hong Kong (41%), India (41%) and Singapore (41%).

Employees seemed to prefer trying self-remedies first with 33% of taking over the counter drugs based on self-diagnoses; particularly in Indonesia (97%), UK (97%), China (95%) and New Zealand (95%).

The survey also pointed out that 20% have not had any health checks in the last year.

Interestingly, 37% of respondents have had a dental exam, more than any other type of medical check-up in the last year. However, the survey also pointed out that only a fifth (19%) currently have dental benefits covered by their employer.

At the same time, the survey found that while workplace wellness ranked low on the priority list when looking for a new job, 66% felt that it was important for their current employer to have a workplace wellness program in place. More than half (59%) said that the presence of a workplace wellness programme would impact their decision on whether to join a new employer.

ALSO READ: Are wellness programmes an effective solution to workplace stress?

Lead photo / 123RF

Infographic / Cigna