Only 36% of companies offer different health and wellbeing support depending upon the country in which their employees are based, according to research by Towergate Employee Benefits.
Its survey found 57% offer overseas employees exactly the same health and wellbeing support as those based in the UK.
Sarah Dennis, Head of International at Towergate Employee Benefits, said: “This is not an ideal approach as it does not take into account the different risks and needs in different countries, where health facilities may be lacking compared to the UK, or may be more remote and harder to access.”
She said employers need totake into account the specific health risks in each region as well as environmental factors and pollution, how good the medical facilities are, risks of civil or political unrest, and whether the region is remote.
“Simply by virtue of working abroad, an employee will have different health and wellbeing needs to a colleague working in the UK. Working away from home can be stressful, isolating, and pose different challenges both mentally and physically, and the support must be designed to meet these needs.”
Research was conducted by Opinium on behalf of Towergate Employee Benefits among 500 HR decision makers across the UK from 7 to 16 January 2025.
