Almost two-thirds (62%) of employers do not believe that their current healthcare benefits are sustainable in the long-term, a survey finds.
A poll of over 100 employers conducted by Jelf Employee Benefits revealed that while 96% of employers believe it is appropriate that they promote better health to their staff, 62% do not think that their current health benefits will hold up in the long run.
Jelf UK healthcare director Iain Law explained this was primarily because of the increasing cost of private medical insurance (PMI).
"PMI costs have been rising for a number of reasons: the increase in the cost of treatment, an increasing reliance on private healthcare by employees, and the general deteriorating healthcare trends in the UK population.
"It's important that employers get the right strategy in place to support the structure of their employee benefits: addressing short-term costs of premiums and longer-term healthcare strategies to support both the business and the employee," Law added.
A further concern for many employers is an ageing and ailing workforce, which over half (57%) of respondents said was a key worry.
Law added that it was important to ensure that the right healthcare and wellbeing benefits were in place that considered the needs of employees now and in the future.
"When it comes to managing the health of their staff, employers have a number of issues to consider. However, there are many more effective and innovative solutions that are now available to companies, and it has never been more important to get the right health and wellbeing strategy in place to address both short-term and longer-term needs."
Yet, the findings also showed that the increased focus on wellbeing and preventative care was having a considerable impact in the workplace, with 93% of employers saying they believed positive health interventions and prevention could influence personal and organisational performance.
