Employers have made great strides in recent years to make their workplaces more tolerant and inclusive. From providing better support for LGBTQ+ employees and neurodiverse workers to proactive reproductive health policies and going beyond the basic legal obligations to ensure staff with non-visible disabilities feel valued, the modern workplace is light years ahead of the offices our parents worked in—and certainly their parents before them. Yet, new research suggests we as employers still have work to do.According to Deloitte's global Disability Inclusion at Work 2024 report, 40% of employees with chronic health conditions face regular barriers in their jobs, from limited accessibility to sometimes even outright discrimination—all of which suggests that despite an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and all of the great work that has been done, employees with chronic health conditions are still facing discrimination.And while this failure is an ethical issue, it’s also a business one. One of the great byproducts of the movement for more inclusivity is the ability to access new talent, their engagement with your organisation’s goals and the resulting boost in productivity. Employers who neglect to provide support for employees with chronic conditions are losing out on this talent and productivity. There is, however, some encouraging news. Science-backed interventions, such as YuLife’s gamified wellbeing approach, offer a path forward.The cost of inaction: workplace barriers and lost potentialDeloitte’s global study, which surveyed 10,000 employees with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and neurodivergence, paints a stark picture of the scale of workplace exclusion. Nearly three-quarters of employees who had requested workplace accommodations said that at least one of those requests had been denied, often due to cost. Another 41% of respondents reported experiencing workplace discrimination, with ‘microaggressions’, bullying, and harassment being common. Six in 10 employees also said they have been unable to attend workplace events due to accessibility challenges, which they felt had limited their career development and networking opportunities.We know that absenteeism due to poor mental health costs the UK economy approximately £45 billion annually, and this number is rising. Moreover, 2.8 million individuals in the UK are economically inactive due to long-term sickness.Employees who feel unsupported are more likely to disengage or leave, costing businesses significantly in lost productivity and rehiring expenses.Chronic conditions, chronic challengesOne of the report’s most striking findings is the widespread impact of chronic health conditions. Many employees do not self-identify as having a disability but still face significant difficulties in their work due to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or mental health disorders. Yet, stigma and fear of discrimination stop many from requesting support.Employees who struggle in silence are less productive, take more sick days, and are less likely to contribute fully to their teams. Employers need solutions that foster wellbeing without forcing employees to navigate cumbersome accommodation processes or fear workplace bias.Data from YuLife's Workplace Wellbeing Trends 2025 report reveals a strong connection between positive wellbeing and employee retention. Some 71% of employees surveyed who rated their wellbeing as “good” said they would not be looking for a new job in 2025, compared to only 30% of those with poor wellbeing.The science of engagement: a new approach to employee wellbeingTraditional wellbeing initiatives often fall short because employees fail to engage with them. YuLife, however, has built its model around behavioural science and gamification. Unlike standard corporate wellness programmes, which struggle to get even 10% of employees engaged, YuLife’s data tells a different story.Some 72% of employees download the YuLife app—a remarkable adoption rate in an industry notorious for low engagement. Of those users, 43% open the app at least once a month, actively participating in health-boosting activities, and 17.4% engage multiple times a day.This high level of engagement isn’t just a nice-to-have—it directly translates into better health outcomes. Studies show that consistent participation in wellbeing initiatives can reduce the risk of chronic conditions by encouraging healthier habits. When employees regularly engage with wellbeing tools, they are more likely to exercise, manage stress, and adopt healthy habits that keep them performing at their best.Building a workplace that works for everyoneSo, what can businesses do to create a truly inclusive workplace? Instead of waiting for employees to request adjustments, employers should design work environments that are accessible and flexible by default. Leveraging technology for inclusivity ensures that all your employees, whether remote, hybrid, or in-office, have access to the support that best fits their needs. Your employees should feel confident discussing their health challenges with management without fear of discrimination. Leadership training, visible role models, and DEI policies will reinforce this culture.And there’s a lot of work left to be done on this front. Our Workplace Wellbeing report found that only 35% of employees feel their employer is effectively bridging the wellbeing gap left by healthcare systems, and just 10% believe their employer is doing this “very well”. With the limitations of the NHS, businesses have an opportunity to step up and provide meaningful health and wellbeing solutions—and YuLife’s preventative approach offers a direct way to help address this gap.A healthier workforce is a stronger workforceThe modern workplace is changing, and employers who fail to prioritise employee health will struggle to attract and retain the best employees. While Deloitte’s report shines a much-needed light on the barriers many employees still face, it also points to solutions. With the right strategies, businesses can move beyond compliance and towards true inclusion.About YuLifeYuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work?Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for your team today.