A survey by Towergate Health & Protection showed that although 76% of employers receive requests for more tailored benefits, nearly half (44%) still offer the same perks to all employees, regardless of age, lifestyle, or risk factors. In addition, 40% of employers offer uniform benefits without taking gender-specific needs into account.
Moreover, the report revealed that over half (54%) of employers had requests from different age groups for targeted support, while 49% noted requests for gender-specific benefits. However, 70% of respondents admitted that more tailored benefits would be too complex to manage, which has deterred them from making these changes.
Debra Clark, head of wellbeing for Towergate Health & Protection, said: “It may seem surprising that three-quarters of employers are asked for targeted health and wellbeing support, but that four in 10 employers do not provide this.
Clark said that while advancements in employee benefits, such as support for neurodiversity, fertility, and menopause, are needed and welcome, they add complexity to an already challenging system. Regardless, she encouraged employers to seek expert advice to provide more personalized health and well-being packages. These moves could then improve recruitment and retention efforts, enhance employee engagement, and even help reduce absenteeism by providing preventative health measures.
Clark emphasized that employers shouldn’t shy away from offering more targeted support. Expert guidance could make the process more productive and effective and ultimately lead to better outcomes for both employees and businesses.