Employees do not understand the value of their employee benefits package while many under-25s ignore it altogether, according to research.
Friends Life has re-launched its group protection proposition which integrates the previous Bupa Health Assurance and Friends Provident offerings.
Universal Provident has brought the underwriting of its product range in house with sister company Personal Assurance now the insurer.
Nearly a quarter of employees feel a major impact when colleagues are absent, Aviva UK Health research has shown.
The UK's largest employers expect public health reform plans to cost their firms dearly as they are expected to pick up a greater share of health provision.
More than a quarter of private sector employers are looking to reduce employee benefit costs by cutting holiday entitlement for staff, according to new research.
The team leading the government's sickness absence review has said it is keen to learn what the insurance industry can offer to improve the current management of absence.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has proposed new guidelines for adult mental health care provided by the NHS.
Employers are still finding the timely return to work of absent employees challenging - yet Government plans are likely to make this harder.
Employees changing needs are not being met by company benefit packages, according to Canada Life Group Insurance.