A third of UK employees are not using their workplace health benefits at all, with many citing barriers to access, according to new research from Simplyhealth.

The survey of 2,000 UK workers found that 34% did not use their employer-provided health benefits, while 53% of those who did reported access difficulties. Key obstacles included needing to ask a line manager for approval (16%), requiring pre-authorisation from a manager or insurer (13%), overly complex processes (13%), and exclusions for pre-existing conditions (9%).

Simplifying benefits (37%), faster access to care (36%), and coverage for pre-existing conditions (22%) were identified as the top changes that would increase usage. Additionally, 20% said quicker claims payments would encourage uptake, and 19% would be more likely to engage if it avoided time off work.

The study highlights the wider value of health benefits: 60% said accessible health benefits made them feel happier at work, and nearly half (48%) said they were a key factor in job retention. Among employees without benefits, 54% believed they’d be more productive with them, and 48% said they’d likely take fewer sick days.

In parallel, Simplyhealth surveyed 500 HR decision-makers. Of those surveyed, 73% said they felt a responsibility to support workforce health, partly due to long National Health Service (NHS) wait times. However, 86% had concerns when implementing benefits, with 31% citing difficulty finding cover for pre-existing conditions.

Paul Schreier, CEO of Simplyhealth, said: “Employers recognise the huge responsibility they have to support the health of their people and the value it creates in terms of reducing long-term sickness and boosting productivity.

“Workplace health benefits are a big part of these efforts, but too often traditional offers are complex and difficult to access.

“The government’s 10 Year Plan for the NHS has put prevention at the heart of ambitions for the health service, and businesses are very well placed to further those objectives – promoting preventative healthcare that improves productivity while easing pressure on the NHS.”

Last year, Simplyhealth teamed up with Spectrum.Life to offer its customers a Digital Mental Health service.