Time for employers to place workplace health & wellbeing front of mind
- by CBI PRESS TEAM
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- 30 Dec, 2018
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Every day last year that someone was absent from work due to ill health cost UK companies on average £720
With the average number of days lost to ill health per employee at 5.2 days, there’s a clear impact on business, which is why firms must better prioritise the health & wellbeing of their staff. That’s according to new survey analysis by the CBI, in partnership with Bupa and HCA Healthcare.
In a new guide, Front of mind: Prioritising workplace health & wellbeing, 347 businesses – employing nearly 1.7 million people - of all sizes across the UK were surveyed or interviewed to understand what steps they are taking to improve workplace health & wellbeing.
The survey found that companies are motivated to play a greater role supporting people, with 63% seeing workplace health & wellbeing an important business issue. 52% of business leaders are recognising the need to focus on prevention, not just the cure. Yet worryingly, 71% of firms say they are finding it hard to take practical action because they are not clear on what works and can’t see the benefits for others that have invested.
To support the thousands of firms seeking to improve health & wellbeing for their employees, Front of mind includes case studies from companies demonstrating good practice and makes recommendations including:
- Making health & wellbeing a leadership priority and training line managers to support their teams effectively
- Creating a culture where physical & mental health have equal focus - raising awareness of what poor mental health looks like, the techniques to help improve it and encouraging staff to have open conversations
- Target action on early interventions by offering fast and confidential access to treatment through health insurance where possible to minimise the time that employees take as sick leave and using technology to promote health & wellbeing.
So why would you not look after the biggest asset? Kind of like buying a Ferrari and then never changing the oil or getting the engine serviced!
Benefits of a Workplace Wellness Programme:
- Improved employee engagement
- Improved attendance - less absenteeism and presenteeism
- Help to recruit and just as importantly retain staff
To see how we can help give us a call today
A lot of business resources is spent on trying to prevent back pain from causing long term absence from work. However, attempts to reduce physical loads on the back through manual handling training and changing office ergonomics have not made significant impact on the amount of sickness absence from work.
Rather than focusing only on physical factors like posture, ergonomics and manual handling, back pain prevention programme with wellness 4 work focus on the problem with a more holistic approach and aim to address more risk factors such as sleep, mood, stress, anxiety and general wellbeing.Kieran O'Sullivan is lead physiotherapist at the Sports Spine Centre at Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Qatar and a senior lecturer in Physiotherapy at University of Limerick. His research group provides evidence-based information at pain-ed.com
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For many of us our day is spent sitting down whether that be sitting in a car on our commute, sitting behind a computer all day or sitting sloth like on the sofa watching Love Island.
Trouble is it's making many of us chair shaped. How often have you found you've been sitting for an hour plus if engrossed in a project.
Tight or overactive muscles can cause havoc with our bodies - particularly if we up the demands on our body by a new sport or a different job style.
Trouble is - it's not just about stretching and getting more flexibility - as flexibility improves then so do the forces on the joints and strength must also be addressed to protect vulnerable joints.
Standing can be a minefield too ... just look at Posh Spice, Ohhh she's going to have soooo many problems with her back, knees, feet....
Improving mental health and wellbeing in the workplace is racing up the agenda.
This month therapist at Natural Elements has been delivering workshops on ' Managing and Reducing Stress' to a forward thinking Leicestershire workplace who want to open up conversations about mental health and reduce stigma.
' Introduction to Mindfulness' , ' Getting Better Sleep' and ' Managing Anxiety and Worry' to follow at the same company.
It's been VERY well received by the workforce as a whole
Seated Massage and Foot & Leg Massage will follow this week for those tired bodies has helped to ease aches and pains and keep staff feeling refreshed.
Call us today to see how we can offer our therapies in the workplace to help provide wellness 4 work.
0116 367 6472
