Employers may be responsible for helping to improve the general health of the UK population, a new study has suggested.
Research released by healthcare provider HSA has found businesses expect their duty of care to increase within the next decade and 67 per cent of firms are likely to invest in one or more elements of healthcare.
Employer brand and values manager at HSA Lee Nicholls commented that companies that encourage their employees to be responsible for their health are taking the pressure of the NHS and should be rewarded for doing so.
Mr Nicholls added that businesses themselves can benefit from employee health schemes.
"Healthcare benefits can also aid recruitment and retention, which supports the economy as a whole," he said.
Last month, the latest Job Satisfaction Survey by Unum showed many employees are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with their benefits package, indicating staff feel they need more from their employer than just a good salary.