Press release 2 March 2021.

One in five (20%) employees say they are struggling to cope with Covid-19 restrictions and a quarter (26%) disclosed that their mental health has deteriorated due to the pandemic, according to new research* amongst 1,216 employees on behalf of Group Risk Development (GRiD).

The research, undertaken during January 2021, showed that 76% of employees, to the best of their knowledge, had not had Covid-19, but 13% said they had contracted the virus and 11% were ‘not sure’. Of those who have had the virus, nearly half (46%), said they were struggling to recover.

According to GRiD, the industry body for the group risk protection sector, this only stands to highlight the importance of ensuring swift access to health and wellbeing benefits to minimise the impact on the individual.

In fact, the mental repercussions of both the restrictions and the virus itself not only impact the individual but can also have consequences for others, from their partner, to their children and other dependants; and within a business context, immediate colleagues, their wider team and the business as a whole.

Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD said: “At present, the focus of the pandemic is very much on counting individuals: those who have tested positive, those who are in hospital, those who have died and those who have received the vaccine. However, there is great potential for a ripple effect to occur where impact is felt much wider.”

Health & Wellbeing industry responds to Covid-19

The health and wellbeing industry, and the group risk market in particular, has responded to the pandemic by fast-tracking access to support for employees and also by creating entirely new programmes to provide help.

In particular, mental health support in relation to Covid-19 has been accelerated, remote/online consultations are more widely available, and early interventions for Long Covid have been developed that address both the fatigue and neurological side of the condition. In addition, there is greater rehabilitation support to aid employees returning to work, so it’s crucial that employers make themselves aware of all of these new developments.

Katharine Moxham concluded: “Group risk products: employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness are continually developing and over recent years we’ve seen a marked increase in the capacity and diversity of embedded support. However, it’s true to say that as in other areas of our lives, the pandemic has hastened developments. Therefore as well as providing comprehensive financial help for employees when it’s most needed, the breadth and depth of support within group risk products for mental health issues in general and those arising from the pandemic is now extensive.”

• Ends –

*The research was undertaken by Opinium during January 2021 among 1,126 employees in UK businesses.

For further information please contact:

Sharon Mason 
SMUK Marketing and PR
smason@smuk.org.uk 
Mob: 07747 611773
Land: 01252 843350

Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Mob: 07887 512508

Notes for editors

About GRiD

Group Risk Development (GRiD) is the industry body for the group risk sector, promoting the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their wellbeing and improving employee engagement. Our membership includes insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries and those operating in (or with other interests in) the UK group risk market. Together this forms a collective wealth of experience built over many years. Under the chairmanship of Paul White (head of technical, Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing) GRiD aims to promote group risk through a collective voice to Government, policymakers, stakeholders and employers.

GRiD works with government departments and regulators involved in legislation and regulation affecting group risk benefits, and with other organisations involved in the benefits and financial protection arenas. GRiD also seeks to enhance the industry's standing by encouraging best practice and by participating in industry-wide initiatives such as the professional qualification in group risk managed jointly with the Chartered Insurance Institute.

GRiD’s media activity aims to generate a wider awareness and understanding of group risk products and their benefits for employers and employees.

GRiD's dedicated spokesperson, Katharine Moxham, provides expert media comment on a full range of group risk issues.

www.grouprisk.org.uk

Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham