UK employers encouraged to embrace transparent rehabilitation support to boost workforce wellbeing

As the consultation period for the Keep Britain Working Review closes, recent research from Aviva^[1] reveals a major opportunity for UK employers to enhance employee wellbeing, trust, and retention by offering and clearly communicating vocational rehabilitation support.

Aviva’s latest survey of over 1,200 UK employees highlights a growing demand for more visible and accessible rehabilitation support in the workplace. While 84% of employees are aware that their employer offers some form of support^[2], only 38% fully understand what’s available - revealing a significant knowledge gap.

Employers who invest in and clearly communicate their support offerings stand to gain significant business benefits. Nearly four in five employees (79%) say they are more likely to stay with an employer who actively supports them during recovery. More than a third (36%) say they would be more likely to recommend their employer as a great place to work if support was more visible.

Transparency also builds trust, with 46% of employees saying it increases their confidence in their employer, while 44% believe it boosts morale across the organisation.

Clear communication around support services also has a direct impact on operational outcomes. Forty percent of employees say they would return to work sooner after illness if they better understood the support available to them, and 39% believe that visible support helps improve overall productivity.

The case for action is compelling, with over half (55%) of employees stating that the level of rehabilitation support is a key factor when choosing an employer, and around three quarters (71%) saying they are more likely to stay with an employer who follows best practice vocational rehabilitation guidelines.

Despite these benefits, nearly one in five (22%) employees either don’t receive any rehabilitation support or are unaware of what’s available to them. This could lead to missed opportunities for early intervention and successful return-to-work outcomes.

With almost three quarters (71%) of employees wanting clearer, more visible information about the support available to them, the message is clear: transparency and best practice are key to building a healthier, more loyal, and more productive workforce.

Jason Ellis, Group Protection Sales Director at Aviva, commented: "Vocational rehabilitation is crucial for helping employees return to work safely and effectively after a long-term sickness absence. That’s why it’s so important that employees are aware of the support available to them and feel confident in accessing it.

“Aviva’s research highlights a clear opportunity for employers to not only offer meaningful rehabilitation support but to communicate it more effectively. When employees understand the support available to them, they’re more likely to engage with it, return to work sooner, and feel valued by their employer. Implementing best practice and making support more visible isn’t just good for people—it’s good for business.”

Aviva is actively supporting the Government’s Keep Britain Working Review, offering insight that we’ve gained both as an employer and group protection and healthcare provider. We are calling for Government to consider asking large employers to clearly communicate the details of their workplace health support both inside their organization and publicly. For smaller employers, there should be a voluntary national Health at Work standard and support on how they can meet it.

This approach would enhance workplace health standards by making them open-source and competitive for larger employers, while providing smaller employers with a benchmark to aim for, along with appropriate support.

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References:

¹ _{The research was conducted by Censuswide with 1,235 full time and part time employees (aged 16+) across the UK between 02.06.2025 - 04.06.2025. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council. [↑]}

² _{I've heard of it, but don't know what's available’, ‘I'm somewhat aware but unsure of the details, and ‘I'm fully aware and understand what's available’ answers combined. [↑]}

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