Under a third (28 per cent) of micro businesses offer health cover compared to 70 per cent of large businesses, research from SimplyHealth has revealed.
The research, which surveyed 500 HR decision makers and 2,000 employees across UK businesses, found those working at larger businesses are more likely to be offered health-related benefits by their employer compared to micro businesses.
Micro businesses were not alone in their lack of health cover as the research also found that only 49 per cent of small businesses offer this benefit.
SimplyHealth suggested that the lack of cover among smaller companies could be attributed to the cost of health cover.
It explained that, among those employers who don’t offer health cover, 57 per cent would like to offer support to all employees but worry about the expense.
Additionally, the research found that nearly four in five (79 per cent) employers believe it is their responsibility to support their employees’ health beyond occupational health.
The research also found that health cover is “good for business” as, of those employers who do offer health cover, nearly all (96 per cent) noticed benefits to the workforce from introducing health cover.
Simplyhealth CEO, Paul Schreier, argued these findings demonstrate the “urgent” need for the new government to help improve access to health cover in the workplace.
This is particularly needed in the light of 2.8mn people in the UK currently off work due to long term sickness.
tom.dunstan@ft.com
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