10 things we learnt from the Vitality at Work away day at Champneys

Vitality Performance Champion, Samantha Murray, meanwhile, shared how she discovered that storytelling – in her case, her pursuit of Olympic success at London 2012 in the Pentathlon event – was a way to convince an unhealthy and overworked law firm to change their perspective on wellness and finding a better work-life balance.

The UK is Europe’s most obese country with the highest suicide rate. Over two thirds (67%) of men are overweight and obese in this country. Organisations have a crucial role to play when it comes to supporting the health and wellbeing of staff, through offering services such as employee assistance programmes (EAP), counselling and talking therapies, as well as encouraging physical activity and preventative lifestyle choices, Samantha explained.

The pandemic may have put the spotlight on staff wellbeing. Keeping it on it – while attention turns to navigating the cost-of-living crisis – could prove to be a challenge, with some attendees sharing that they are seeing signs it is starting to slip off the agenda. However, as Dame Carol put it: “We’ve been through Brexit, followed by a pandemic during which every one of us has at some point questioned our own existence. With the UK facing a recession, workplace wellbeing has to be seen within this new context. Businesses are more than ever expected to deliver workplaces that are good for us.”

“You can’t drive performance without staff wellbeing,” explained Dame Carol. This makes communicating the value of benefits to employees all the more important. Otherwise, they simply won’t use them. A common obstacle faced by HR experts in the room, however, is getting messaging right so that it connects individuals on a human level, while also appealing to a broad section of the workforce. “Employees are increasingly looking for a more personalised approach – one that speaks directly to them,” said Dame Carol. This is where offering choice through a range of benefits all in one place can really make a difference.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards are playing an increasingly important role in Board conversations at present, and it’s clear from conversations at Champneys that an important driver going forward will be greater focus on putting the ‘S’ - the social – into ESG strategies. With businesses today expected to do more than just turn over a profit – and actually do good – more eyes will be on how employers are supporting staff right now, especially as we go deeper into economic uncertainty. That’s why we believe that a total workforce solution offering savings and benefits, as well as helps gets the most out of its people can be the answer. After all, a healthier organisation is good for everyone involved, including its individuals, the business and society as a whole.