Aviva research reveals SMEs’ commitment to employee wellbeing

Our recent research shows that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) highly value their employees' wellbeing. In a survey conducted with 500 senior professionals from UK SMEs, an overwhelming majority of respondents (99%) indicated that employee wellbeing is either “very important” (77%) or “somewhat important” (22%) to their business, with 92%¹ of SMEs stating they would pay more than their existing insurance premiums to include additional wellbeing services for their staff.

Many SMEs are putting measures in place to support staff with wellbeing such as training, counselling schemes and helplines. Almost half offer mental health counselling (47%), with 41% providing access to helplines and 37% sharing discounted wellbeing services such as gym memberships with employees. In addition, 44%² of SMEs provide regular training for their leaders on managing employee wellbeing and mental health issues.

The research also found that companies that invest in employee wellbeing report numerous benefits, including higher employee satisfaction (47%), increased productivity (40%) and improved employee retention rates (39%).

With regard to how much SMEs would pay to invest in wellbeing services for their people, our research found almost one third of respondents (29%) would pay 11-15% more, with more than half (54%) willing to pay between 6% and 10% more each year.

To support businesses in this area, we’ve added a range of wellbeing services and benefits to every Group Personal Accident or Business Travel product, at no extra charge.

These value-added services include

• Aviva Line Manager Toolkit for Mental Health** - provides bite-sized video modules and supporting content, designed to help line managers support the mental health of their team.
• Get Active** inclusive of Cancer Care for savings on gym and health club memberships as well as discounted lifestyle products and services.
• Wellbeing library** - an online resource full of useful content, articles and helpful support on all kinds of situations:
  • Family and relationships
  • Money or work
  • Mental and physical health
  • External weblinks to a range of independent organisations offering helpful advice
• A counselling service** provided by ‘Care first’ where professionally trained counsellors are accessible 24/7, 365 days of the year with up to 6 one-hour telephone counselling sessions available. All calls are free and confidential.

To quote for and buy a Group Personal Accident Policy you can go straight to Fast Trade or speak to your usual Aviva underwriter.

How can we support your wellbeing?

If you need more information to support yourself, your staff, and colleagues, we’ve a range of resources to help with everyone's wellbeing. From tips and resources from Mental Health in Business to information on neurodiversity in the workplace, we can help support you and your clients. 

^{1 Data is combined from respondents who answered they would be willing to pay up to 5%, 6-10%, 11-15%, 16-20% or more than 20% more.}

^{2 Data is from more than monthly and monthly combined.}

^{**These are non-contractual benefits that Aviva can amend or withdraw at any time. Offers are only available for United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle Of Man customers. This service is not available to Gibraltar, Ireland or overseas customers.}