The launch is part of its Be Well Hub for employers as well as intermediaries, and the helpline provides HR and line managers with early intervention support to help employees who may be struggling with physical or mental health issues that affects their work.

The Be Well helpline is available to all existing and new group income protection clients at no extra cost.

Vanessa Sallows, claims and governance director at Legal & General Group Protection, said: “We recognise that many HR and line managers don’t know where to turn for advice when an employee is struggling in work.

“We could see a need for direct access to qualified healthcare professionals at an early stage before the problem becomes so bad employees need to take time off work. We also understand it is vital those healthcare professionals take a biopsychosocial approach to see that being able to work is a health outcome in itself.

“The Be Well hub and helpline are core elements of our Be Well, Get Better, Be Supported framework for personalised care pathway support.

“Our group income protection products provide a range of wellbeing services that don’t just help manage absence and return to work, but also help employees thrive in the workplace. In turn, this helps support the overall wellbeing of employees and the business.”