UK Companies Try New Ways to Help Workers Feel Better

Many UK companies are looking for new ways to help their workers feel good at work. Some are bringing nature inside, like plants and even beehives. The government is also working with businesses to improve health at work.
By Newsroom | Business, UK |

A growing number of UK businesses are investigating unconventional methods to support employee wellbeing, moving beyond traditional initiatives. This shift comes as research indicates that some widely adopted programs may not be delivering expected improvements in mental health. The landscape of workplace support is evolving, with employers seeking strategies that resonate with current employee expectations and the changing nature of work.

Office buzz: UK employers turn to beehives to boost workplace wellbeing - 1

Government and Employer Collaboration on Health

The UK government, through departments like Work and Pensions (DWP) and Health and Social Care (DHSC), is actively engaging with employers to address rising levels of ill-health and its impact on the workforce. These efforts aim to reduce the number of people absent from work due to long-term sickness.

Office buzz: UK employers turn to beehives to boost workplace wellbeing - 2

  • Occupational Health Support: Plans are underway to encourage businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to utilize occupational health services for employee mental and physical health.

  • Tax Relief: The government is exploring the possibility of offering additional tax relief on occupational health costs to incentivize greater uptake of these services. A consultation has been launched to determine the appropriateness of such measures.

  • Healthy Working Lifecycle: Over 60 major and many smaller employers are partnering with the government to adopt a "healthy working lifecycle framework." This involves providing workplace health support and collaborating with a dedicated Workplace Health Intelligence Unit.

  • Keep Britain Working Initiative: This program, with a final report published in November 2025, emphasizes turning the tide on ill-health and disability in the workplace, focusing on "Stay-in-Work" and "Return-to-Work" plans.

Nature-Based Solutions Gain Traction

An emergent trend sees UK employers incorporating elements of nature into the workplace to foster wellbeing. This includes bringing plants into offices and, more uniquely, introducing beehives.

Read More: UK Economy Grew a Little at End of 2025

Office buzz: UK employers turn to beehives to boost workplace wellbeing - 3

  • Beekeeping Programs: Companies are organizing trips for employees to learn beekeeping and construct hives. The quiet hum of bees is cited as a source of momentary calm during busy workdays. The demand for such experiences has reportedly led to an increase in full-time staff for providers like Buckley's Bees.

  • Biophilic Design: Beyond bees, other nature-inspired interventions are being implemented, such as the installation of living moss walls and numerous plants in office spaces, as seen in some London offices.

  • Environmental Considerations: While embracing nature, there's an acknowledgment that introducing such elements into areas with limited green space could add pressure to already declining wild insect populations.

Effectiveness of Traditional Wellbeing Initiatives Questioned

Recent research suggests that some conventional workplace wellbeing programs may not be as effective as anticipated in improving employee mental health.

Read More: Sir Jim Ratcliffe Says Sorry for Immigration Comments

Office buzz: UK employers turn to beehives to boost workplace wellbeing - 4

  • Individual Interventions: A study involving over 46,000 UK workers found no evidence that individual-level mental health interventions—such as mindfulness, resilience training, and wellbeing apps—led to improvements in employee wellbeing outcomes.

  • Organizational Factors: The research indicates that deeper organizational changes are more likely to influence wellbeing. These include factors like:

  • Flexibility in scheduling

  • Management practices

  • Staff resources

  • Performance review processes

  • Job design

  • Limited Impact: Another analysis of formal staff wellbeing strategies, including employee assistance programs, counselling, and mindfulness workshops, found no discernible difference in self-reported mental health between employees who participated and those who did not. Experts suggest a greater focus on improving the work environment itself, rather than solely relying on specific programs.

Comprehensive Wellbeing Strategies Evolve

The understanding of workplace wellbeing is expanding beyond just physical and mental health to encompass a broader spectrum of employee needs.

Read More: Thomas Partey Denies Rape and Sexual Assault Charges

  • Holistic Approach: A comprehensive wellbeing program is seen as needing a mix of preventative, supportive, and responsive measures covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing.

  • Adaptability: With the rise of hybrid and remote working, wellbeing strategies must be flexible and adaptable to different working patterns.

  • Managerial Role: Line managers are recognized as critical in delivering wellbeing strategies, though many report feeling unprepared for this role. Regular check-ins with employees are highlighted as a way to understand their coping mechanisms and provide timely support.

  • Employee Expectations: Employees increasingly expect employers to prioritize and support their wellbeing, with only a little over half feeling their organization genuinely does so.

  • Benefits of Investment: Investing in wellbeing initiatives is linked to potential benefits such as enhanced productivity, reduced staff turnover, and a more resilient workforce.

Expert Analysis and Observations

Insights from research and industry reports underscore the evolving nature of workplace wellbeing.

Read More: Arc Raiders Game Sells 14 Million Copies, Much More Than Expected

"More ambition is needed to improve workplace wellbeing… deeper organisational changes – such as flexibility of scheduling, management practices, staff resources, performance review, or job design – are likely to play a greater role in improving wellbeing at work." - Wellbeing Research Centre

"Workplace wellbeing initiatives must reflect how people’s lives operate outside of work… When designed and implemented with care, employee wellbeing initiatives can reduce stress, boost employee engagement and support long-term performance." - People Insight

"The quiet hum [of bees] can offer a moment of both [calm and connection to nature]." - An observer of beekeeping in offices

Conclusion

The UK employment sector is witnessing a multi-faceted approach to enhancing employee wellbeing. While government initiatives focus on structured occupational health support and incentives, a parallel trend sees companies experimenting with nature-based solutions, like office beehives. Concurrently, critical research questions the efficacy of certain individual-focused wellbeing programs, pointing instead to the greater impact of organizational and environmental factors. The consensus is shifting towards a more holistic and adaptable strategy, acknowledging the interconnectedness of work, personal life, and overall employee health, with a particular emphasis on systemic changes within the workplace itself.

Sources:

Read More: New Files Show Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew Stayed Friends with Epstein

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are UK companies changing how they help workers feel good?
Some old ways of helping workers don't seem to work well. Companies want to try new things that help more.
Q: What new things are companies trying?
Some companies are adding plants and beehives to the office. They think nature helps people feel calm.
Q: Does the government help with this?
Yes, the UK government is working with businesses to improve health at work and wants to help companies pay for health services.
Q: Do simple wellbeing programs really help?
Some studies show that things like mindfulness apps or training don't always help workers feel better. Changes to the job itself, like flexible hours, might help more.