The clocks go back on Sunday 25th October. From Monday, the sun sets before 5pm across much of the UK, and for many employees the journey home happens in the dark. With shorter days, colder weather and darker evenings ahead, finding the motivation to go for a run, take a walk or fit in a gym session can become more challenging.
The change can affect how people feel, too. Research published by Aviva last October found that 45% of UK adults take a while to adjust when the clocks change, while 34% dread the impact on their sleep.
For HR and reward teams, this is an important moment to think about how employee benefits can support people through the winter months. When motivation dips and routines become harder to maintain, making physical activity accessible, affordable and convenient can help employees look after their health and wellbeing.
With benefits renewal season also approaching, the question is: what can employers do to help their people stay active, feel better and maintain healthy routines throughout winter?
Why winter can take its toll on wellbeing
Shorter days mean less exposure to natural daylight, which can affect sleep patterns, mood and energy levels. For some people, these changes are more significant. The NHS estimates that seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression associated with seasonal changes, affects around 1 in 15 people in the UK between September and April, with symptoms often most severe during December, January and February. Many more people notice a milder version, often called the winter blues.
Dark evenings and cold, wet weather keep people indoors and inactive, which removes one of the easiest ways to lift their mood. The after-work walk gets skipped, the gym feels less appealing and opportunities to get outside become less frequent.
This matters because physical activity can play an important role in supporting mental and physical wellbeing. Regular movement can help improve mood, manage stress, support better sleep and maintain energy levels. The NHS also recommends exercise as one of the self-help approaches that may help people manage SAD.
For employers, supporting wellbeing means recognising these seasonal barriers and making it easier for employees to stay active, rather than expecting them to overcome every obstacle on their own.
There is a wider workforce consideration, too. Epassi UKs Great Employee Benefits Study 2026 found that the UK is the only European market where work-life balance is the leading reason employees both stay with their employer (27%) and leave (15%). Helping people make time for their health, particularly when everyday routines become more challenging, is one practical way employers can support a better balance.
How fitness benefits can help employees through winter
Being active does not have to mean an intense workout or a strict fitness routine. A lunchtime walk, a short home workout, a fitness class or a regular gym session can all help people build movement into their day.
The key is finding something enjoyable and realistic enough to maintain. When exercise fits around work, family commitments and individual preferences, it is more likely to become a habit.
And employees recognise the value of fitness support. According to the Great Employee Benefits Study 2026, 89% of UK employees who use a fitness benefit say it improves their overall wellbeing, yet only 41% have access to one.
Convenience matters, too. The study found that 57% of UK employees identified location-flexible gym access as the most valuable fitness benefit for hybrid working. When employees split their time between home and the office, access to facilities in different locations can make it easier to fit exercise around their working day.
This flexibility becomes particularly valuable during winter, when travelling further for a workout or committing to a single gym location may feel less appealing.
Epassi UK’s GymFlex and MyGymDiscounts give employees access to a choice of 4,800+ fitness facilities nationwide through its health and fitness network. By offering choice and flexibility, employers can help people find opportunities to stay active wherever they are working.
Three practical was HR teams can support winter wellbeing
1. Put your fitness and wellbeing benefits back on the radar Employees cannot make the most of benefits they do not know about or have forgotten to use. The Great Employee Benefit Study found that 49% of UK employees did not use all their available benefits last year. The main reasons included not having enough time (38%) and forgetting (27%).
Send a short, practical reminder explaining which fitness and wellbeing benefits are available, how to access them and when deadlines are. Include direct links and examples of how employees can use their benefits, whether that means finding a nearby gym, booking a class or trying a new activity.
2. Make movement easier during the working day
When it is dark by the end of the working day, lunchtime can become a valuable opportunity to get moving in daylight.
Encourage employees to take a short walk, organise an optional lunchtime walking group or signpost local fitness classes and facilities. For those who prefer to exercise before or after work, highlight options close to home as well as the office.
Flexibility is important. Not everyone will want to join a group activity or have the same availability, so offer a range of options and avoid making participation feel like another work commitment.
3. Ask employees what gets in their way
The barriers to staying active will differ between employees. Cost, time, caring responsibilities, location, confidence and motivation can all influence whether someone makes use of a fitness benefit.
A short pulse survey can help you understand what your people need. Ask three simple questions:
Make your benefits work harder
The Great Employee Benefits Study 2026 found that 75% of UK employers expect to increase their benefits budgets for 2027. But spending more does not automatically mean employees will get more value.
The study found that the biggest reason employees do not use their benefits is that the options do not match their interests (54%). Choice, flexibility and accessibility are therefore essential.
Before your next renewal, ask:
The clocks going back is a timely reminder to review how your organisation supports employee wellbeing. By making physical activity accessible and convenient, employers can help their people build healthier habits throughout winter and beyond.
If you would like to explore how flexible fitness benefits could support your workforce, Epassi UK is happy to help.