Health and wellbeing at work report 2025
Simplyhealth is committed to improving healthcare access for all, with a particular focus on providing affordable, targeted workplace healthcare that addresses the key drivers of sickness absence – helping people stay healthy, remain in work, and recover faster if they fall ill. For 15 years we have proudly partnered with CIPD to deliver the Health and wellbeing at work report.
The report examines health, wellbeing and attendance trends and challenges to offer insight and practical suggestions for employers considering their health and wellbeing strategies. Based on a survey of 1,101 HR and people professionals or management-level employees with major HR decision-making involvement or influence in their organisation, the report helps employers and their people teams make informed decisions about health and wellbeing policies and interventions, sickness absence management, and health benefits.
Key findings
Sickness absence levels are at an all-time high
UK employees took an average of 9.4 sick days over the past year - nearly two full working weeks -which is a significant increase from 7.8 days in 2023.
What this means for businesses: Rising absence levels highlight the urgent need for effective health and wellbeing strategies to reduce lost productivity and support employee health.
Mental ill health is a leading cause of long and short-term leave
While 88% of organisations provide mental health support, most take a reactive approach, focusing on counselling or phased returns rather than preventative measures.
What this means for businesses: To truly support employees, organisations must foster open cultures and equip managers with the skills to proactively address mental health needs before absence occurs.
Budget constraints are the biggest barrier to wellbeing investment
Despite financial pressures, organisations that invest in wellbeing see clear benefits, including improved health (54%), increased engagement (39%), reduced absence (39%), and enhanced performance (38%).
What this means for businesses: Strategic investment in wellbeing isn’t just a cost - it’s a driver of better business and people outcomes.
Get the full Health and wellbeing at work report
Use the report to:
Benchmark your organisation against national data
Guide wellbeing policy decisions
Justify investment with evidence-led insights
How Simplyhealth can help
Traditional health benefits are too complicated - they often don’t cover pre-existing conditions, normally require GP referrals, and there’s a lot of complexity for businesses that want.
We simplify access to workplace healthcare by removing barriers, including reducing costs. Specialising in workplace health and wellbeing, we deliver affordable, targeted care that tackles the main causes of absence – helping your people stay healthy, in work and recover faster if they do get sick. No GP referral or pre-approval is needed, and pre-existing conditions are covered.
Fill in the form below to download your copy of this report
Discover the latest findings of the Health and wellbeing at work survey.
Useful resources
Improving access to healthcare via the workplace
In partnership with The Purpose Coalition
Recommendations for how to make it easier for businesses to reverse the workforce sickness epidemic and reduce economic inactivity.
Women's health in the workplace - guides
Offering advice on how to best support women's health in the workplace, shining a light on some of the most common health and life-stage issues people may face such as breast cancer prevention, fertility and managing menopause.
Simplyhealth insight
Too many barriers to access: a third of British workers don’t use their workplace health benefits
One in nine taking time off work for mental health, as many struggle to access support
Rising business costs are putting employee health cover at risk, with low-cost solutions more important than ever
Keep Britain Working discovery phase
