We’ve all been there – the excitement of rolling out a brand new employee health programme, complete with shiny brochures and launch emails, only to discover six months later that engagement has flatlined.The wellness portal sits mostly unused. The health assessments remain unbooked. The gym memberships gather virtual dust.If this sounds a little too familiar, you’re not alone. Research from PIB Benefits found that
37% of employees don’t access any information about their benefits – a figure that’s actually increased from 28% the previous year. All this despite 30% of those same employees saying they want more support with their physical health. It’s the corporate equivalent of buying an expensive treadmill that ends up as a clothes rack.
Why traditional health benefits fall flat
So why do so many well-intentioned health programmes fail to engage employees?Through years of working with businesses to improve employee health, we’ve identified several common pitfalls:
- The one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t fit anyone well
Generic wellness programmes often miss the mark because they fail to acknowledge the diverse health needs of the workforce. The 25-year-old fitness enthusiast needs something completely different from the 55-year-old managing a chronic condition. When a health benefit is too broad, in an effort to appeal to everyone, this can become a major detriment.
- They diagnose but don’t solve
Traditional health assessments might tell employees they have high cholesterol or are at risk of diabetes, but then what? Too many programmes identify problems without providing practical pathways to improvement, leaving employees feeling anxious, rather than empowered.
- They’re often inconvenient
Requiring staff to visit specific clinics during working hours or navigate complex booking systems creates friction and barriers. When improving health feels like another task on an already overwhelming to-do list, it’s easier to ignore it.
- Poor communication undermines good intentions
The PIB survey found that 35% of employees don’t understand the benefits information provided to them, while 46% said they don’t receive regular communications about benefits. Even the best health programme can’t work if people don’t know how to access it, or why they should.
- They lack human connection
Digital health platforms provide valuable data, but they often miss the crucial human element. Health is deeply personal, and people need trusted advisors who understand their specific circumstances and can provide tailored guidance.
What engagement with health benefits actually looks like
Real engagement isn’t about click-through rates or initial sign-ups, it’s about creating lasting behavioural change that improves health outcomes and, by extension, business performance.Genuinely engaged employees don’t just participate in health programmes; they advocate for them. They share stories of how their energy has improved, how they’re sleeping better, or how they’ve learned more about their bodies. They become internal champions who drive cultural change from within.
How LiveSmart solves the engagement puzzle
We created
LiveSmart specifically to address these engagement challenges. Here’s how our approach differs:
We focus on meaningful action, not just awarenessOur health assessments are just the beginning. We’ve built our entire service around the principle that knowing your health status is only valuable if you know what to do with that information. That’s why two-thirds of our participants show measurable health improvements after their first assessment.
We bring the service to your peopleOur Health Practitioners can collect blood samples at workplaces, multiple locations, or employees’ homes anywhere in the UK. Alternatively, we offer DIY finger-prick blood test kits that employees can complete quickly and easily at home. By eliminating practical barriers, we’ve achieved engagement rates consistently above 50%.
We provide genuine human supportEvery participant receives personalised advice from our team of doctors and dietitians and has the opportunity to discuss their results with clinical experts. For deeper support, our health coaches provide regular one-to-one calls, with tailored advice proven to help everyone reach their true potential.
We make health improvement accessible to everyoneOur tiered approach offers appropriate options for every employee, from those focused on heart health and diabetes risk (Focus), to those needing comprehensive insights into their overall health (Perform). This flexibility ensures everyone feels included, regardless of their starting point or health goals.The proof is in our results: 9 out of 10 employees would recommend LiveSmart to a colleague, creating those internal champions that drive sustained engagement.Today, no business can afford health benefits that sit idle while workplace wellbeing deteriorates. By focusing on flexible delivery, personalised support, and meaningful outcomes, LiveSmart transforms employee health from a tick-box exercise into a catalyst for business performance. Because when health benefits actually engage your people, everyone wins.To find out more about Livesmart and other services from Inuvi,
get in touch.
