Engage Health Group

Tag: mental wellbeing

  • How employee benefits can tackle workplace productivity

    How employee benefits can tackle workplace productivity

    We hear a lot about the UK’s productivity problem, but rarely about the health-related reasons behind it.

    Mental health challenges and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are the two biggest causes of workplace absence according to the ONS. But they are also preventing employees from being fully engaged when they are present.

    A study by Simplyhealth revealed that improving support for just three things – mental health, MSK issues, and GP access – could fix up to 80% of the UK’s productivity crisis.

    The good news is that employers can make a difference by investing in the right employee benefits.

     

    What’s causing the drop in productivity?

    Let’s begin by focusing on mental health. AXA’s Mind Health Report 2025 found that 32% of adults globally are dealing with mental health issues. In the UK, mental health accounted for 27% of all sick leave in 2024, up from 23% the year before. This is also the number one reason for long-term absence for employees under 40.

    And it’s easy to see why. Financial stress, job insecurity, workload, and the pressure to stay constantly “on” have taken a toll. Lengthy NHS waiting times mean people often can’t get support until things get serious.

    Then there’s MSK health. Back pain, joint problems, and repetitive strain injuries don’t just cause physical discomfort; they’re also one of the leading causes of absence and the “presenteeism” phenomenon where people show up to work, but only do the bare minimum.

    Together, these two issues massively impact employee health and productivity across the UK.

     

    6 employee benefits that can help

    There’s not one single fix, but there are small changes employers can make to significantly improve workplace health in relations to mental wellbeing and musculoskeletal issues.

     

    1.    Group Health Insurance plans

    Many Company Health Insurance policies include:

    • Virtual GP services for same-day or next day appointments
    • Mental health support – providing access to counselling, psychology, and psychiatry services.
    • Cover for MSK treatment, like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care

    These features mean employees can get help early. Engage Health Group’s team of employee benefits consultants help businesses find appropriate health insurance policies according to the level of support they require.

     

    2.    Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)

    EAPs offer confidential support for things like stress, financial worries, or even relationship issues. They’re usually free to employees and available 24/7.

    The key is making sure people actually know about them. Too many companies have EAPs that are unused because employees are unaware they have the benefit. This can be fixed by regularly promoting EAPs through onboarding, internal comms, and manager check-ins. The more familiar employees are, the more likely they’ll use the support when they need it.

    EAPs are often included on a Group Health Insurance plan, but can also be bought as a standalone service. Again, Engage Health Group can help advise on UK and International EAPs and how to implement them for UK or global employees.

     

    3.    Group Health Cash Plans

    Group Health Cash Plans offer reimbursements for everyday healthcare costs, such as dentist visits, eye tests, and physiotherapy. They’re affordable, flexible, and especially useful for supporting MSK health before issues become serious.

    Health Cash Plans are especially good for businesses that want to offer support without the cost of full-time private medical insurance.

    Businesses can select the maximum claimable amount for each service. For example, Bupa’s Cash Plan gives staff the chance to get reimbursements of up to £100, £200 or £300 on physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture treatments – depending on the cover level the employer has invested in.

    Engage Health Group works with all the Group Health Cash Plan providers to ensure businesses get the best coverage options. Contact enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or 01273 222805 and our team will provide accurate pricing based on the size of your business and any specific needs you may have.

     

    4.    Digital wellbeing tools

    Apps and online platforms are becoming a standard part of the wellbeing toolkit. Popular tools include:

    For example, AXA’s Mind Health Self-Check helps employees assess their mental wellbeing anonymously, then points them to relevant resources. Meanwhile, the likes of Unmind and Headspace provide standalone mental wellness apps backed by clinical research.

    Wellbeing apps are not a replacement for clinical care, but they do help employees take small, daily steps to stay well or identify issues early on.

     

    5.   Group Income Protection

    While Income Protection schemes are best known as ‘sick pay insurance’, in fact the policy does more than provide financial support to unwell employees, it also helps them in their recovery. All the main insurance providers offer some form of early intervention service designed to help employees get better faster and, therefore, speedup their return to work.

    Many Group Income Protection schemes also come with EAPs, mental health support guidance or some form of wellbeing app.

     

    6.    Access to physical therapies

    MSK problems account for more than 7.8 million lost workdays each year. Offering fast access to physiotherapy and osteopathy is one of the most effective ways to prevent MSK problems from becoming long-term issues. When employees can see a physio within days instead of weeks or months via the NHS, minor injuries can be treated early before they worsen.

    Physical therapy is also a preventative measure for MSK. Regular sessions can help improve posture, mobility, and strength, especially if your employees spend long hours at a desk.

    The ability to live free of pain and discomfort gives employees improved energy and concentration levels. This can reduce absenteeism and contribute to better productivity.

     

    7. Healthy workspaces

    Wherever staff are working, and in whatever industry, it’s important that good posture and healthy working habits are supported.

    For office-based work, chairs need to offer ample back support, while desks and monitors need to be set at the appropriate level – and lighting needs to be sufficient. It’s all about ergonomics! In a more physical job, good posture and appropriate manual handling techniques need to be taught and practised.

    Staff should also be encouraged to take their breaks, preferably away from the desk if they are office workers. This supports both their mental and physical health.

     

    Setting up your wellbeing strategy

    Offering these benefits is a good start, but having a wellbeing strategy in place will make a bigger difference in your employees’ lives.

    Over half (53%) of organisations now have a stand-alone wellbeing strategy, according to the CiPD. 

    A wellbeing strategy should include:

    • Finding out what employees need via anonymous surveys, usage data, best practice guidance
    • Choosing benefits that support those needs, preferably with the help of an employee benefits consultancy, like Engage Health Group
    • Training managers to identify early warning signs of staff struggling with stress, whether physical or mental
    • Communicating clearly and regularly about wellbeing and the support you provide
    • Setting goals – for example, you may want to reduce stress-related absence by 10%

    It’s also worth considering employee expectations. AXA’s Mind Health Report found that 52% of employees want their company to provide mental health support, but only 47% say their employer currently does.

     

    Tackling a global issue

    Helping people stay well isn’t just a moral obligation. The McKinsey Health Institute estimates that improving employee wellbeing could generate $3.7 trillion to $11.7 trillion globally, mainly by reducing absenteeism and improving productivity.

    McKinsey breaks down potential savings from improved wellbeing:

    • $2 trillion – $9 trillion from productivity improvements
    • $400 billion – $900 billion from reduced health costs
    • $200 billion – $400 billion in increased workforce participation

    Even on a smaller scale, reducing just a few percent of absence can have a big impact on how much your team can achieve.

     

    How Engage Health Group can help

    At Engage, we help businesses of all sizes design and implement employee benefit strategies that work. This is how we can help your business:

    • We help you select the right mix of benefits
    • We help align benefits with your business’s objectives and needs
    • We help your employees to understand the benefits and actually use what’s available
    • We provide administrative and consultancy support throughout the life of your policy

    We understand that one-size-fits-all doesn’t work, so our advice is tailored to your company. If you’re ready to rethink how your benefits support productivity, we’d love to help. Contact enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or 01273 222805 to get started.

  • 8 mental health insurance options for UK businesses

    8 mental health insurance options for UK businesses

    Insurers are only too aware of the growing demand for mental health support. That’s why they’ve been busy developing their policies to better support people with varying emotional and mental health needs.

    All health insurance providers offer some form of mental health support in their business plans, even if standalone mental health insurance is not available as a distinct policy.

    It’s easy to undersatand why insurer’s are making improvements in this area.

    Businesses today are increasingly looking to support employees with their mental health and wellbeing.

    According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 46% of all work-related ill health cases are linked to stress, depression, or anxiety.

    In this article, we explore what the UK’s eight leading health insurers offer in terms of mental health support.

    Contact our award-winning team to receive free impartial advice and a complimentary quotation service. Engage Health Group compares policies across the market and reviews any policies you have in place to ensure they’re offering the best value.

     

    What mental health support is commonly offered by health insurers?

    All the leading health insurance providers offer some form of mental health support for their business customers. Many of the support mechanisms they offer are quite similar. For example, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPS) are offered by all eight insurers featured in this article.

    EAPs are designed to provide emotional support across a wide range of issues. These include psychological stresses and strains related to work, finance, family relations, addiction issues and much more. Support is provided via an online platform which includes access to therapists and, often, specialists in different fields (such as legal and financial).

    EAPs usually come with general wellbeing advice and exercises too, so you don’t need to be experiencing a crisis to benefit. You can read more about EAPs here.

    Another important thing to mention is that mental health support is usually more advanced on Corporate Health Insurance plans which are typically offered to companies with 250-plus employees.

    Finally, as it’s 2024, all the leading Group Health Insurance providers provide some form of wellbeing app or online platform with their policies.

     

    8 insurers offering mental health coverage for employees

     

    1.     Aviva Health

    Aviva’s corporate health insurance plans support various mental health needs. Members can easily access its mental health support services through digital tools, which provide security to all its users.

    Aviva’s mental health offering includes:

    • Unlimited Mental Health Support: Aviva offers unlimited access to mental health specialists via a GP referral, ensuring you can get help when needed.
    • Counselling & Therapy: Up to 28 days of inpatient and day patient mental health treatment and access to outpatient services like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counselling.
    • Apps & Tools: Members can use the Aviva Digital GP app, which provides online GP consultations and self-management resources for mental health, including access to virtual therapy sessions. In addition, you can choose a GP by reviewing their profiles and also get repeat NHS prescriptions.

    NOTE: Access to services may vary depending on which Aviva Business Health Insurance plan you opt-for. Contact one of our expert advisors for expert assistance.

     

    2.     AXA Health

    AXA Health has a Defaqto 5-star rating and offers mental health coverage to support employees at different stages of their mental health journey. Many of its mental health support services are also available for SMEs, providing access to a wide range of specialists and treatments.

    AXA’s mental health services include:

    • Dedicated mental health line: 24/7 access to a confidential mental health helpline, where staff can speak directly with counsellors and mental health professionals.
    • Inpatient & outpatient support: AXA’s plans cover a range of treatments, from CBT and counselling sessions to more intensive psychiatric care.
    • Apps and tools: The AXA Health App allows staff access to personalised mental health assessments and resources that track your mental wellness over time. By being proactive with the app, you can make small recommended changes that lead to healthier habits over time.

    NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which Aviva Business Health Insurance plan you opt-for.

     

    3.     Bupa

    Bupa is well-known for its mental health support, providing flexible options to address mental health concerns. Preventive care and ongoing therapy are both catered for.

    Bupa’s mental health services include:

    • Unlimited mental health treatment: Bupa covers treatment for a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and depression. This includes both inpatient and outpatient care.
    • No GP referrals needed: Members don’t need a GP referral to access counselling services, making it easier for them to get help.
    • Apps and tools: The Bupa Blua app offers articles, self-help guides, and tools to manage stress and anxiety. Bupa’s online resources hub, Healthy Me, also provides additional advice from experts.
    • 24/7 mental health support line: Bupa offers a confidential helpline that connects directly with trained counselors.

    NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which Bupa Business Health Insurance plan you select. Contact one of our experts to discover which policy best fits your needs.

     

    4.     Freedom Health Insurance

    Freedom Health Insurance provides coverage for mental health support via virtual and in-person options.

    • eMed Virtual GP Service: Offers quick access to unlimited mental health consultations with doctors via their eMed GP app, allowing you to get help from home 24/7, 365 days a year.
    • Inpatient & outpatient treatment: Freedom Health Insurance covers short-term and long-term mental health conditions, offering therapy, counselling, and psychiatric care when necessary.
    • Optional mental health coverage: Employers can add mental health support to their corporate plans, providing tailored mental health services based on the company’s needs.

    NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which Freedom Business Health Insurance plan you select.

     

    5.     Vitality

    Vitality LogoVitality takes a proactive approach to mental health insurance, focusing on wellness and preventative care. Its plans promote mental wellbeing and offer various tools to help its members manage mental health before it gets worse.

    Services included on Vitality’s business plans include:

    • Counseling & therapy: Coverage includes talking therapies such as CBT and counselling sessions, helping members access support in the early stages of mental health difficulties.
    • Subscription to Headspace: Including guided meditations, and yoga sessions
    • Apps and tools: The Vitality Member app offers a range of digital tools and resources for mental health self-care, including wellness trackers, guided meditations, and stress management techniques. The app also provides discounts from its partners to help you manage stress, eat better, lose weight, and quit smoking.
    • Comprehensive mental health cover: Vitality offers ‘bolt-on’ inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment.

    NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which Vitality Company Health Insurance plan you select. Arrange a free consultation with one of our expert advisors to discover which policy best fits your needs.

     

    6.     Western Provident Association (WPA)

    WPA is known for its personalised approach to health insurance. They focus on providing mental health care as an “add-on” to its core products, including access to treatment and ongoing support.

    Services included on WPA’s business plans include:

    • Extensive Mental Health Cover: WPA covers a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders – this includes access to treatment and ongoing support.
    • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Like other insurers, WPA offers mental health support for employees, including counselling, advice, and work-life balance tools through its EAP. This cover is available to all WPA members and their families. In addition, remote access through the WPA Helpline is available to everyone above 16 years old every day of the year, 24/7.
    • Apps and tools: Members can use the WPA Health App, which provides access to mental health resources, wellness tracking, and virtual consultations. You can also make and track claims 24/7 through the app, view membership documents, and send and receive messages with WPA through a secure messaging system.

    NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which WPA Company Health Insurance plan you select.

     

    7.     Benenden Health

    Benenden Health provides affordable health care, focusing on mental health support for employees. They offer straightforward coverage to help employees manage mild to moderate mental health issues.

    Services included on Benenden’s business plans include:

    • Mental health support line: Employees can access free, 24/7 mental health support after six months of membership, giving them direct access to counsellors for issues like stress and anxiety.
    • Short-term therapy: Benenden provides up to 6 sessions of therapy or counselling for employees facing mental health challenges.
    • Apps and tools: The Benenden Wellbeing Hub offers mental health articles, self-help guides, and wellness tools to help employees manage their mental health independently.

    NOTE: Available services listed above may vary according to which Benenden Company PMI plan you select. Arrange a free consultation with one of our award-winning advisors to discover which policy best fits your needs.

     

    8.     YuLife

    YuLife is a tech-first provider that delivers its health insurance plans through Bupa. Along with Bupa’s mental health support services, businesses also get access to YuLife’s app.

    Services on YuLife’s offering include:

    • Insurance-free assistance: A major benefit of YuLife is that it’s available to anyone, even if your employees aren’t part of their insurance coverage. Your employees can access the app’s wellness and employee perks platform, which includes virtual GP consultations, EAPs, and wellbeing challenges.
    • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): YuLife provides access to counselling, mental health assessments, and emotional support through its EAP services.
    • Apps and tools: The YuLife Employee App includes wellness trackers, mindfulness exercises, and access to mental health support, encouraging mental health management.
    • Bupa mental health support: (See Bupa’s offering above.)

    NOTE: Available services may vary depending on which YuLife package you choose.

     

    Which policy best supports your employee’s mental health?

    The truth is there’s no one answer to this question. Each policy has its own strengths and weaknesses, while each business need differs.

    As an employee benefits consultancy we can help you make the best possible decision by doing the following:

    • Taking the time to understanding what kind of coverage you’re looking for, the number of people you’d like to cover and how much you’re able to invest
    • Gathering a range of quotes from different providers and outlining the key mental health services they offer
    • Considering how the policy will interact with any products or policies you already have in place. For example, do you already have a cash plan or EAP in place?
    • Reviewing any current health and protection policies you have in place to ensure you’re receiving the best value

    The award-winning advisors at Engage Health Group are here to answer all your questions and give advice in your best interests. Simple call 01273974419 or email enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk to arrange a free consultation.

     

  • 6 employee benefits that can help ease anxiety and support mental wellbeing

    6 employee benefits that can help ease anxiety and support mental wellbeing

    One in six UK workers is affected by mental health problems like anxiety, stress and depression. Much of our lives are spent in the workplace, so it’s only right that employers take steps to ensure staff are happy and healthy.

    A healthy workplace culture consists of many factors, including good people management, recognition & rewards, and considerate workplace policies.

    And one simple thing employers can do is provide employee benefits that offer practical support for mental wellbeing.

    In this blog, we’ve listed six employee benefits that provide either preventative or reactive support to ensure everyone can benefit regardless of the current state of their mental wellbeing.

    Need help setting up employee benefits for your staff’s health and wellbeing? Email our expert brokers at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or call 01273 974419.

    6 employee benefits to help with anxiety, stress and depression

    #1 Mental Health First Aid Training

    A training programme to offer to employees, designed to teach staff how to understand, identify and support colleagues struggling with their mental health. The programme is a two-day course that covers a wide breadth of mental health issues, providing employees with a broad understanding of different issues and how to identify them.

    Benefits of Mental Health First Aid Training:

    • Helps to reduce stigma in the workplace
    • Promotes open discussions on mental health
    • Opens channels of support and how to find help
    • Provides managers with the skills to support struggling colleagues

    Remember, it doesn’t mean trained staff are qualified therapists! So make sure they aren’t taking on too much responsibility.

    Your guide to Mental Health First Aid in the workplace.

     

    #2 Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)

    EAPs offer staff a range of tools and services to better equip them to handle whatever life and work throws at them. Designed to strengthen the emotional resilience of staff, EAPs allow employees to feel they are taking control over their own mental health, whilst safeguarding anonymity.

    Not every Employee Assistance Programme is the same and each provider will offer different levels of service. But you can expect to find the following services in most EAPs:

    • Professional counselling sessions
    • Managerial support
    • Financial management, advice, and debt support
    • Critical incident management
    • Self-help tools, activities, and programmes

    Benefits of Employee Assistance Programmes:

    • Helps to reduce stress and anxiety – something for every team member!
    • Employers can see where support is needed through trackable usage stats
    • Alleviates managerial pressures
    • Boosts workplace productivity
    • Adaptable to teams large and small

     

    #3 Group Health Cash Plans

    A Health Cash Plan is a form of health insurance providing cover for the day-to-day health needs of staff. Typical plans will include: medical consultations, physiotherapy, dental, counselling. Business Health Cash Plans are a simpler alternative to a larger Group Health Insurance policy, keeping costs low whilst still showing staff you are prioritising their overall wellbeing.

    Benefits of Group Health Cash Plans:

    • Can be easily tailored to fit with the specific needs of your business and staff
    • Helps staff with the stresses associated with routine health issues e.g., dental and eye checks
    • Easy to implement across the company
    • Allows staff autonomy over everyday health issues
    • Alleviates stress and worry for staff

    Learn more about Group Health Cash Plans.

     

    #4 Flexible working options

    Allowing employees to work in a way that best suits them shows you trust them to do the work they are paid for. Flexible working can relate to working hours or the location they work from.

    Benefits of flexible working options:

    • Supports employees’ work-life balance
    • Helps staff better handle childcare needs and elderly care responsibilities
    • Accommodates and recognises the different needs of each employee
    • Helps retain employees who might look elsewhere if you don’t provide some form of flexibility
    • Helps staff avoid the stress and cost of commuting to work everyday
    • Saves employees time and energy

    Related reading: Remote working stats 2023: trends, impacts and demographics.

     

    #5 Mental Health Services & Counselling

    Mental health services and one-to-one counselling can be provided through a Group Health Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programmes, or as an added value service in a Group Health Insurance scheme. Alternatively, there are many providers in the market exclusively dedicated to mental health support and counselling resources. So mental health services can be invested in as a standalone product too!

    Benefits of providing mental health services:

    • Directly supports staff mental wellbeing
    • Adaptable options to fit with budget and staff needs
    • Reduces absenteeism / presenteeism
    • Boosts productivity and overall morale at work

     

    #6 Wellness apps

    A range of apps are available that provide various tools and exercises for bolstering mental wellbeing. They can consist of:

    • Meditation prompts and courses
    • CBT exercises
    • Dietary plans and prompts
    • Relaxing soundscapes
    • General healthy living guidance

    Some of the market leaders include Headspace and Calm. But many insurers also offer complementary apps in their Group Health Cash Plan and Business Health Insurance plans.

     

    The importance of protecting staff mental wellbeing

    Poor mental health can be directly linked to lower job performance, reduced motivation, and, in serious cases, can affect an employee’s physical wellbeing too.

    Supporting employees’ mental wellbeing is both the right thing and logical thing to do.

    At Engage Health Group, we work across the health and wellbeing marketplace to ensure you find the right policies at the right price, and ensure your whole benefits package provides prices from across the market.

    Contact our expert team at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or call 01273 974419 for FREE no-obligation advice and support.

  • Top 5 EAP providers for UK businesses

    Top 5 EAP providers for UK businesses

    Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) are a fantastic way to help staff handle anything that life and work might throw at them, providing proactive support with a range of emotional and psychological issues. But there are many EAPs out there on the market, each with their own set of price points and features.

    We’ll explain exactly how they work and look at the services offered by five leading EAP providers in the UK.

    Need helping finding the right EAP for your business? Get FREE one-to-one advice from our award-winning friendly team on 01273 974419 or drop us an email at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk.

    What is an Employee Assistance Programme?

    Employee Assistance Programmes are designed to support the general mental health and wellbeing of staff. EAP providers offer a range of services which usually include access to professional counselling sessions, self-help tools and activities, and discount schemes.

    EAPs are accessible under one platform, helping employees to manage problems in work and in life in general. An EAP can help with the stresses and strains associated with:

    • Financial worries
    • Work-related issues
    • Family problems
    • Legal difficulties
    • Housing insecurity
    • Substance abuse
    • Gambling addiction
    • Stress, anxiety, depression
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Feelings of isolation
    • Domestic violence
    • General health and lifestyle issues

    An EAP is not just designed to help those in serious need and you don’t need to be going through a traumatic event to benefit from it’s services! The resources provided are there to improve general emotional resilience, teaching staff how to reach their own inner calm, and feel equipped to handle anything life throws at them.

    Employee Assistance Programmes are accessible for many types of company – big or small – due to its adaptable nature and the wide range of services on offer!

    5 EAP providers to check out

    #1 TELUS Health (Formerly LifeWorks)

    TELUS Health is an EAP provider that covers over 20,000 different businesses, offering support for over 26 million individuals internationally, having joined forces with LifeWorks in 2022. TELUS Health has developed a modern EAP service, with 24/7 counselling and online wellbeing resources to help staff reach their fitness goals and bolster their inner resilience. They also offer savings and discounts on daily essentials and key life events.

    On top of the core coverage, TELUS Health also offers some innovative extras to their programme:

    • Access to a digital news feed providing resources on general wellbeing and the latest updates
    • Discounts on retailers, restaurants, fun activities, daily grocery shop
    • Tools for business owners to track analytics, engagement, talent retention, and productivity
    • Work-life balance support

    #2 Care First

    Care First is an international EAP provider experienced in working with small businesses, as well as larger organisations from across different industries varying in size from 25 to 220,000 employees. Care First has a particular focus on its counselling services and people management tools, including all the traditional EAP features.

    An incredibly helpful option Care First offers is its service integration, ensuring that there are no overlaps or interference with any pre-existing services, potentially helping businesses save money in the process. Every client is unique and so should their EAP service be! Care First works to fit the services seamlessly with any existing business services such as Occupational Health and Absence Management.

    Care First also includes specialist SME solutions to provide the most efficient and affordable cover for small businesses. They have designed a bespoke service for businesses with between 35 to 1,000 employees.

    Would you like to speed up your fact-finding mission by talking to an impartial broker? We’ll be happy to field all your questions about EAPs and give our expert verdict. Get in touch at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or call 01273 974419 for no-obligation advice and support.

    #3 Spectrum Life

    Spectrum Life provides mental health and wellbeing support to members and staff of over 2,000 organisations across both Ireland and the UK. Its EAP supports over 4 million active users. Spectrum Life provides Total Mental Health (a professionally accredited mental health resource), digital clinics covering everything from parenting to ergonomics and a range of wellbeing support services. Spectrum Life use its digital platform to provide a single connected solution, combining onsite wellness, digital wellbeing, Employee Assistance Programmes, and health screening.

    Spectrum Life also provides access to a catalogue of mental health seminars and workshops, as well as a variety of digital wellbeing events. They have more than 6,000 wellbeing events booked each year! These can provide extra support and insight to staff and employers, improving their mental health and wellbeing even more – and learning along the way!

    #4 Health Assured

    Health Assured is an award-winning EAP service provider, offering support to over 15 million people in over 160 countries, making them the largest independent UK and Ireland provider. Health Assured offer a variety of services, providing support to many organisations across a range of industries from public, private, and non-profit sectors all the way through to student assistance programmes.

    Health Assured also includes:

    • 24/7 helpline to counsellors, legal, and financial specialists – always answered locally in the UK.
    • My Healthy Advantage: smartphone app and personalised wellbeing tools and content; including videos, webinars, health checks, coaching.
    • Access to a global network of over 1,500 counsellors, trainers and critical incident responders across different communication platforms.
    • Report analytics, management information, organisational benchmarking.

    #5 ComPsych

    ComPsych is a leading international EAP provider based in the US, with one of the largest customer bases in the world, providing support to over 68,000 businesses and 139 million individuals globally. ComPsych’s ‘GuidanceResources’ platform includes its EAP, alongside behavioural health, wellness, and absence management services.

    The company’s global reach and network enables multinational employers and businesses to have a centrally managed EAP to offer to all their staff wherever they may be based. ComPsych, like any good EAP, looks at things from a holistic perspective with a extensive team of in-house specialists on hand to help address a wide variety of needs.

    Employees can access their EAP services in different formats and languages, boosting the overall accessibility for businesses for those with a global reach or expansion goals. Training resources are also provided on wellbeing subjects, including mindfulness and management skills to help members address any life challenges they may face.

    Which EAP provider is right for your staff?

    Finding the right EAP provider can quickly become overwhelming with hundreds of international and UK-based providers all offering different features and price points. However, as an independent benefits and health insurance broker, we can advise on the one which works best for your business and how it interacts with any other benefits you already have in place.

    Remember: most health insurance providers also offer a free EAP with their policies. For example, Bupa’s EAP and AXA’s EAP both come included with their Group Health Insurance plan. So if you’re considering buying a health policy, it might be wise to delay making a decision right away.

    Our expert team of award-winning brokers at Engage Health Group will take you through your options and gather a variety of quotes from across the whole market. We advise on all things employee benefits and health insurance, ensuring your staff’s wellbeing is protected and their needs fully addressed.

    Contact us at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or call 01273 974419 for no-obligation advice and support.

  • Is it worth investing in a global Employee Assistance Programme?

    Is it worth investing in a global Employee Assistance Programme?

    How do you look after the mental and emotional wellbeing of employees working from different countries? It can be a tough ask when your employees are scattered here, there and everywhere!

    International Employee Assistance Programmes (iEAPs) have been designed to meet this very challenge. 

    And they are increasingly popular: the number of UK employees seeking support from their Employee Assistance Programmes leapt by nearly 350,000 between 2020 and 2021.

    In this article, we provide a jargon-free guide to iEAPs which explains:

    • How an iEAP works
    • The process of buying an iEAP
    • How much it will cost
    • The benefits it can bring to your business and employees

    Need help finding the perfect international benefits for your global staff? Give our award-winning team a call on 01273 974419 or email us at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk. 

    What is an International Employee Assistance Programme? 

    An International Employee Assistance Programme (iEAP) is designed to provide global staff with the tools they need to tackle work-related problems, personal issues, and general everyday health and wellbeing needs. 

    iEAPs can be accessed from just about anywhere in the world, using a mobile or desktop app. This toolbox of health and wellbeing services enables staff to take control of their own health and prepares them for anything they might encounter which impacts their physical and mental wellbeing. 

    What’s typically included? 

    The services usually offered with iEAPs vary from provider to provider, but most will offer the following tools and services: 

    • 24/7 confidential support services 
    • Legal support
    • Financial advice 
    • Childcare support 
    • Work-life balance management tools 
    • Stress support
    • Relationship support 
    • Alcohol/drug abuse support
    • Anxiety and depression services 
    • Life transition tools
    • Grief, bereavement, trauma, loss services 
    • Multi-lingual capabilities
    • Counselling services e.g., CBT, face-to-face sessions, virtual sessions 
    • Data confidentiality 
    • Employer support to help with critical incidents/traumatic workplace incidents 
    • Access to staff engagement stats to measure what’s being most useful 

     

    How do you buy a Global EAP? 

    Global Employee Assistance Programmes can either be bought as a standalone product from iEAP providers, or as an additional service included in an International Business Health Insurance plan. 

    If opting for the standalone option, your selected iEAP provider will set everything up for you and  your staff as quickly as possible. This also includes all the necessary documentation, guidance and contact information for staff. 

    If you’ve purchased an iEAP as part of an International Health Insurance policy, it’s important to promote it to your staff – so they know that it exists and how to use it. We are surprised by how often this is forgotten (but as a broker, we always help our clients with this step!). 

    For an iEAP to be a good investment, it’s important that staff know it’s there and how to use it!

    Would you like one-to-one advice about Global Employee Assistance Programmes and the practicalities of investing on one? Engage Health Group is an expert brokerage and consultancy which offers its advice for FREE. Contact our award-winning team on 01273 974419 or email us at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk.

    How much does an iEAP cost? 

    There is no set menu of price ranges for iEAPs. However, according to the UK Employee Assistance Professionals Association, the rough estimation for an EAP lies between £5 and £15 per person. Price points are influenced by a range of factors, each based on the specific and unique needs of your business:

    • Number of employees: products are designed for different workforce sizes, the more employees the bigger the per person discount
    • Location of employees: it’s more expensive to provide in different areas of the world due to the varying costs for professional services attached to the product, such as counselling support 
    • Features included: there is often some choice on which features to include, for example an employer can set an upper limit on access to consultations
    • Purchase method: it can be bought as a standalone service or bolted on to a global health insurance policy

    What benefits will an iEAP deliver?

    Investing in an iEAP can deliver a range of benefits, including:

    • Provides a broad range of wellbeing services that anyone can benefit from, all accessible under one platform 
    • Multi-lingual capability and services, making it truly accessible to the whole global team 
    • Supports staff to better handle whatever life and work throws at them
    • Reduces staff absence rates
    • Boosts productivity and wellbeing 
    • Reduces pressure on HR  
    • Low-cost support compared to other global insurance benefits 
    • Highly beneficial to expat staff where the stresses and strains of being away from home can be particularly challenging
    • Support from therapists and psychologists who can assist both on-location employees and HR teams should any major incidents occur such as terrorism, social unrest or natural disaster.
    • Impressive ROI: according to the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA), every £1 spent on an EAP will return £8

     

    Get FREE one-to-one advice on iEAPs

    Finding the right International EAP service provider that fits with your business needs can be challenging. There are hundreds of providers each vying for attention with a range of price points and services included. Speaking to an independent broker, like the team at Engage Health Group, can help.

    Our friendly and expert international team will talk through your options at your pace and explain in practical terms how it might address the needs of your specific business and at what price point. 

    At Engage Health Group, we have a huge global reach spanning 61 countries and territories. We guarantee the best advice and deliver the most competitive quotes in the global healthcare and protection market to help support your remote international workers. 

    Contact our award-winning team at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or call 01273 974419 for FREE no-obligation advice and support.