This new guide, Repositioning Occupational Health within the Employee Value Proposition (EVP) responds to the challenge employers face managing sickness absence, improving their workforce’s health, and attracting and retaining talent.
As part of this, many organisations do not realise the full value of occupational health as part of the health and wellbeing employee benefits offer.
Drawing on a rapid evidence review, expert interviews, and industry insights, the guide identifies three overlapping barriers that limit integration of occupational health effectively into the Employee Value Proposition:
- Perception – Occupational health can be viewed as a regulatory or reactive service rather than a supportive and enabling resource.
- Communication – Many employees and managers have limited awareness of occupational health and frequently misunderstand its purpose.
- Engagement – Access to occupational health is often delayed until challenges have escalated to crisis point.
The guide recommends three actions:
- Ensure occupational health is understood by all stakeholders as to what it offers - a strategic asset rather than a compliance function.
- Integrate occupational health with other health and wellbeing benefits.
- Leverage occupational health expertise to inform a broader, evidence-based workforce health and wellbeing strategy.
Take a look at the guide here, whether you are an occupational health provider, employer, employee benefits consultant, or broker. The guide offers practical steps to optimise the value occupational health offers within your employee value proposition.
The guide also includes anonymised case studies demonstrating how organisations have reduced sickness absence, improved employee health outcomes, and generated substantial cost savings through better use of occupational health.
Interested to discuss further?
If you wish to participate in a workshop on how to integrate occupational health into the EVP, email nick.pahl@som.org.uk