In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday, 10th September 2024, Towergate Health & Protection is urging employers to reassess their mental health support systems for employees.

A growing number of Gen Z professionals are expressing a desire to return to the office more frequently, with 80% seeking in-person mentoring and learning opportunities that remote work cannot fully provide.

New research highlights a disconnect between UK managers' self-assessments and the experiences of those they manage, with over two-thirds (67%) of UK employees having left or considered leaving their job due to poor management.

A recent study by GRiD, the group risk industry body, reveals that only 9% of employers prioritise preventive health and wellbeing support aimed at keeping staff from falling ill in the first place. In contrast, 57% of employers offer such support only after employees have been absent for a set number of weeks, while 33% provide it from day one.

New research from BrightHR reveals significant uncertainty among UK business owners regarding Labour’s proposed employment law reforms.

As we celebrate National Payroll Week, it’s important to recognise the vital role that payroll professionals and processes play in ensuring a business runs smoothly. For startup founders, navigating the complexities of payroll can be especially challenging amid the pressures of managing daily operations, growing the business, recruiting talent, and ensuring profitability.

Recent research from HiBob has highlighted a significant challenge for businesses: seven in ten managers believe that companies struggle to effectively manage younger employees. This generational tension is further underscored by nearly a quarter of Brits expressing a desire to replace younger workers with their older counterparts if given the chance.

According to YouGov, one in six people will experience imposter syndrome – a persistent feeling of inadequacy in their career despite others' perceptions – at least once in their lifetime. Recently, Instant Offices, experts in office spaces, reported a staggering 96% rise in searches for "imposter syndrome," indicating that more professionals are struggling with self-doubt.

Over the past decade or so, a robust workplace mental health policy has shifted decidedly from a nice to have, to a must have for all businesses. This is not purely a product of the social values of the day dictating the way we work, but a sign that increased understanding of mental health has made this a simple business decision. We now know that the lack of an effective mental health provision costs businesses billions. Sarah Carter, Head of Account Management at Onebright, discusses the cost of getting workplace mental health wrong.

According to recent research by Towergate Health & Protection, 58% of employers lack a clear understanding of their employees' health and wellbeing needs.

A significant 76% of UK professionals believe the traditional 40-hour workweek is no longer fit for purpose. According to fresh research by talent solutions company Robert Walters, half of those surveyed (51%) suggest that a four-day workweek, or greater overall flexibility (38%), could better align with contemporary needs, potentially boosting productivity and engagement.

Work-from-home policies have reshaped business structures, provided flexibility and transformed a new generation of employee’s working lives. The home-office environment has become a permanent fixture for companies, resulting in more dynamic work environments that are less dependent on specific locations.

Employers are increasingly navigating a complex landscape of employee support needs, according to recent findings from Towergate Health & Protection. Traditional health and wellbeing concerns are still significant, but employers are now facing rising demand in more diverse areas such as caring responsibilities, where 29% foresee an increase, as well as fertility, neurodiversity, addiction, and gender identity, with over 20% expecting a greater need for support in these areas.

Gen Z workers are struggling to find their footing in the workplace, while their Boomer colleagues seem to be thriving, according to a new report from Employment Hero, a global employment technology platform. The "Wellbeing at Work" study, which surveyed over 1,000 full-time employees across the UK, highlights the challenges younger workers face in adapting to their work environment.

Senior executives and HR leaders are grappling with declining trust in their leadership as employees grow increasingly sceptical about their company’s direction, leading to polarised views on workplace experiences.

A recent survey by monday.com, the multi-product platform that manages core work functions, revealed that the excitement surrounding the Olympics has significantly boosted workplace productivity in the UK. The poll of 2,000 UK workers showed that nearly two thirds (61%) felt inspired by the games to deliver more creative and innovative work.

Innovative tech companies like Google revolutionised the workplace with office amenities such as pool tables, bean bag chairs, and entertainment areas, which have gradually become a mainstay in workplaces around the world.

Traditionally, HR and Finance departments have felt that their objectives are at odds: one focused on employee wellbeing and the other on cost savings. However, beyond the bottom line lies a profound truth: employee wellness is the bedrock of sustained business success.

Towergate Health & Protection has emphasised the need for employers to actively address the issue of loneliness, which affects 20% of employees worldwide, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report. This report highlights that one in five workers experience daily loneliness, calling for robust health and wellbeing support from employers.

HR leaders and wellbeing professionals should implement practical strategies to combat summer burnout and alleviate anxieties about taking paid time off (PTO) throughout the year. This guidance comes from Sonder, an early intervention platform focused on employee health, safety, and wellbeing, which aims to shift companies from a reactive to a proactive and preventative approach in supporting their staff.