Workplace wellness has become a buzzword in the past couple of months or so. Especially, since businesses are more aware of the benefits of employee wellness. Every £1 spent on workplace health initiatives results in return on investment ranging from £2 to £34.
A large portion of the population is employed, 75.4% of people aged 16-64 to be exact! Therefore, it is important to invest in the health and wellness of your employees. Businesses could save £8 billion per year by implementing better mental wellbeing support in the workplace.
Mental health – less than a quarter of line managers receive any training
Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. Mental health is very prevalent within the workplace with many feeling like they cannot talk about it. 15% of employees that disclosed a mental health issue face disciplinary procedures, demotion or dismissal. The Department of Health states that mental ill health is the single biggest cause of disability in the UK. Furthermore, the cost of mental illness to the economy is at around £105 billion annually. Incorpore strongly believe that a healthy mind comes from within a healthy body. Therefore, it is important to not only have people trained in physical first aid but mental health first aid too. A Mental Health First Aider spost the signs of mental health issues and effectively support anyone dealing with mental stress. Then ultimately, guide employees towards seeking appropriate professional help.
Musculoskeletal disorders – 17.8 million people live with a musculoskeletal condition
In 2016/2017, 507,000 workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Consequently, 8.9 million working days were lost due to the disorder. Musculoskeletal disorders affects muscles, joints and tendons in all parts of the body. They develop within the workplace due to inactivity as the average UK office worker sits for over 8.9 hours a day. This is why it is vital to offer employees solutions that allow them to move more! The health risks from excessive sitting include a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, mental health, hernia and poor core strength. Offering your workforce Sit Stand Desks can allow employees to move more. Thus, helping to kick start their metabolism, burn calories, improve posture, sleep better, and improve concentration.
Read more: How employers can help employees to improve their posture at work
Healthy lifestyle – over 63% of adults are overweight or obese
There are significant costs associated with obesity. Furthermore, that £126,000 a year is lost in productivity for an organisation of 1,000 people due to health issues such as back problems and sleep apnoea. Research from PMI Health Group found that 34% of respondents claimed that employers have a moral responsibility to help them lead a fit and healthy lifestyle. Therefore, focus on educating your employees on the benefits of a healthy diet with a Wellness Workshop so they can make healthier choices and become more aware of the health risks of bad food habits. More than 27% of adults eat food from out of home food outlets at least once a week. Therefore, why not invest in a Healthy Vending Machine or Healthy Snack Boxes to direct your employees towards more nutritious and healthier foods.
Read to know more about how to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
If you are interested in offering wellness solutions to your workplace OR if you wish to receive a FREE consultation on your Workplace Wellness Strategy, please email sales@incorpore.co.uk and we will organise this for you.
