Not Communicating Your Sickness Provision?

According to research from the industry body Group Risk Development (GriD) taken from a sample of organisations across the UK they found 1 in 4 employers do not communicate sickness and absence provision to their employees.

The research found with over 500 employers surveyed there were a significant number who do not actively promote or make available important details of their staff benefits.

Such benefits as group income protection and group health insurance are benefits which can really set an employer apart as an employer of choice. Building an open and trusting relationship is so important to ensure your employee’s engagement with your organisation.

Katharine Moxham from GriD, said: “By keeping details of benefits such as GIP under wraps, employers are missing a powerful opportunity to motivate personnel and foster self-reliance.

There were a number of additional findings that are quite interesting if not alarming.

• From the poll, 8% of respondent state they have a policy in place but do not actively promote preferring to remain quiet about the details.
• 12% responded stating they treat sickness on a case by case basis.
• 5% of the population surveyed have no provision at all but believe staff are aware of this.

Katharine Moxham continued: “By keeping details of benefits such as GIP under wraps, employers are missing a powerful opportunity to motivate personnel and foster self-reliance.

“There are many additional benefits that come with a group income protection policy that can really help both employee and employer. If a plan is already in place and premiums are being paid then as an employer they should ensure all employees are aware of the policies value.

“Many income protection insurance plans come with rehabilitation support to help ease employees back into work from long term absence. Providing such a policy really takes the burden off you the employer and places it in the hands of an expert in this field.”