Understanding the Employers Voice: Highlights from WTW’s 2024 Occupational Health Survey

Eight Key Findings from WTW’s Occupational Health Survey

1. 01

   Many companies don’t provide occupational health services in all their operational regions.

   When surveyed, most companies with global operations responded that occupational health services are not being provided in nearly 40% of their operating regions.

   This may present a gap in meeting jurisdictional requirements in various countries with nuance laws for medical examinations or other occupational health services.

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2. 02

   Access to occupational health services significantly decreases outside the U.S.

   In the U.S., 81% of employers said that most of their workforce have access to occupational health services (76% or more employee access).

   In non-U.S. regions access to occupational health services, only half of the employers surveyed (52%) said that most of their workforce have access to occupational health services (76% or more employee access).

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3. 03

   Organizations are providing blended service models

   Employers are adopting a blended approach, combining on-site, near-site and virtual clinics to build their occupational health programs.

   The model is a blend of on-site clinics (38%), followed by near-site clinics (34%) and lastly, virtually (28%).

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4. 04

   Employee utilization of occupational health services remains low globally

   Across all regions globally, less than 15% of the employees that have access to occupational health are utilizing the services.

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5. 05

   The primary focus of occupational health programs is on occupational injuries

   First aid, injury management and other work-related care are the dominant types of services provided by the occupational health program.

   Nearly half of the employers are providing expanded services like urgent care, laboratory testing, vision testing and physical therapy.

   A limited number of employers provide other services, including pharmacy (29%), radiology (19%) and chiropractic care (14%).

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6. 06

   Program measures vary, with a majority relying on lagging indicators

   Many employers (67%) are using lagging indicators to measure the success of the occupational health program, followed by utilization data (57%).

   Only 10% of the employers surveyed are using return-on-investment as a measurement metrics.

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7. 07

   Alignment with total rewards

   Many employers (43%) state that the optimal alignment of the occupational health program is being integrated into the total rewards program versus a standalone program run by clinicians or safety.

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8. 08

   Looking ahead

   Employers are looking to continuously evolve their occupational health program.

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Disclaimer

Willis Towers Watson hopes you found the general information provided in this publication informative and helpful. The information contained herein is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with your own legal advisors. In the event you would like more information regarding your insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. In North America, Willis Towers Watson offers insurance products through licensed entities, including Willis Towers Watson Northeast, Inc. (in the United States) and Willis Canada Inc. (in Canada).

Author

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Vicki Missar

MS, CSPHP, SSBB, CHSP, CPE, CISM
Director — Adverse Event Consulting Practice RCCA Healthcare Practice Leader

emailEmailphone+1 904 403 9611

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