24/7 access to employee health benefits - the solution to reported barriers

More than one in 10 (13 per cent) UK employees say they find the process of claiming work-based health and welfare benefits is too complicated, leading to a third (34 per cent) simply not using them.

The findings of the recent research (published August 2025) also says that more than half of those that do use their health benefits (53 per cent) face barriers when trying to access them.

Around 16 per cent of employees reported needing to ask their line manager for information or approval before using a benefit, and more than 13 per cent say they require pre-authorisation from a manager or insurer for their health benefits, according to the research.

Similar numbers said they found the process of claiming health benefits too complicated, while nine per cent stated that their pre-existing conditions were not covered.

Accessibility, awareness and personalisation are among the top requirements of an effective, relevant and suitable workforce pay and benefits reward scheme. Choosing a workplace wellbeing and benefits solution founded on a strong employee benefit value proposition not only supports the employee / worker with the type of information, services and financial support they need, but also drives meaningful engagement, loyalty, wellbeing, productivity, recruitment and retention.

Work Wiz

With rising financial costs facing every UK business every day, more and more are using worker benefits as a cost-effective – sometimes free, depending on the provider – boost for remuneration packages.

Good workplace wellbeing and benefits solutions represent a tool that helps offer workers more incentives than pay rates alone, but, as the research has found, many workers are simply put off from using them because they are cumbersome, onerous and not fit for purpose.

The key lies in making the benefits really easy to use, with access when and where workers need it.

A good example of a pay and benefits solution that does all of this is the Work Wiz Workforce Wellbeing and Benefits App. This value-added employee perks app unlocks access to a vast array of inclusive features, and is designed to enhance and support a better employment experience for everyone in their workforce, with an extensive suite of features that will apply to all employees, regardless of their age, role or position in the company.

Workers and employees have access to a complete package of 24/7 GP and mental health support, money-saving lifestyle discounts and streamlined employment communication in an easy to use mobile portal.

With Easy API integration with other technology platforms, Work Wiz is a mobile perks app capable of bringing other candidate and HR systems together seamlessly in one mobile experience for the workforce.

The App, developed, implemented and supported by Magic Connect,  is available FOC to recruiters and companies that partner with one of the many expert providers from the Magic Connect network.

About us

Magic Connect are strategic workforce solutions consultants. We help organisations solve workforce challenges by matching them with the most suitable partners, based on operational needs, compliance demands, and long-term outcomes.

As an independent consultancy, we draw from a network of specialist partners, each vetted for expertise in regulated sectors, contingent labour models, and compliance-focused delivery.

What sets us apart is how we work. While many consultancies and brokers offer surface-level

recommendations, Magic Connect provides hands-on support to ensure every solution is

effectively implemented, integrated, and aligned with the client’s existing structure. This includes onboarding assistance, internal communications, and full activation via Work Wiz—our mobile-first platform that centralises engagement, benefits, payslips, and wellbeing tools.