UK workers are suffering from a sickness epidemic. This is exacerbated by the long waiting times for NHS services. Recent data shows that affordable health coverage for employees is more in demand than ever.
All age groups are interested in health care, but the younger generation expects health insurance to be a standard benefit from their employer rather than an extra.
Gen Z is pushing for a redefining of expectations in terms of health care at work, according to our most recent research. Health benefits are no longer seen as a perk, but as a part of the employment package. Seven in ten (18-34-year-olds) say they would not switch employers if it wasn’t offered. Two-thirds of employees (64%) cite health insurance as the most important benefit they receive at work, compared to fewer than half (46%) among those over 55.
Employers should be aware of this shift in expectations, as just over a third (30%) of UK workers are aged between 18 and 34. They can use it to retain younger staff.
Health Support and Retention
The financial burden of constant recruitment can be reduced by retaining employees longer and offering them good benefits. In addition, people in their twenties will be more likely to miss work because of illness than those in the forties. This can cost businesses lost productivity, which could be reduced with better health support. Three-quarters of workers aged 18-34 say that health insurance would increase their productivity because they could deal with health issues more quickly.
These findings are not surprising. Gen Z is a digital-savvy generation that values accessibility in healthcare. It is inevitable that workplaces will cater to this new focus on health if they wish to retain their future talent. Health support is essential to the job satisfaction and productivity of this generation.
Gen Z’s demands are not unreasonable, as the NHS is struggling to meet the needs of patients (the NHS waiting list stood at 7.6 million in June 2024). Employers must provide employees with faster access to treatments such as physiotherapy and mental health support.
Eight out of ten (all ages) employees would prefer health insurance for faster access to GPs and seven out of ten would like it for quicker access counselling and physiotherapy. Two-thirds of young workers (66%) said that if they had a health insurance, they would be able to see a doctor faster.
A Healthier Workforce
This growing demand is influencing the wider employment landscape. The employer’s approach to employee wellbeing is being challenged. 70% of employers feel a greater sense of responsibility for their employees due to the longer NHS waiting times and changes underway.
Employers who offer health insurance see an improvement in employee satisfaction. They also experience a 37% rise in engagement, and a 33.3% increase in productivity. These aren’t just abstract numbers; they represent tangible benefits that have a direct impact on a company’s growth, success and overall health.
Companies can improve their competitiveness by offering health coverage that is tailored to the employees’ needs. This will also help them create a more resilient and healthier workforce. There’s no doubt that the impact of Gen Z on employee wellbeing will continue to grow as the UK struggles to overcome the epidemic of sickness among its workforce.
