Telecommunications organisation BT Group aims to ensure that preventative measures are in place before any employee develops a musculoskeletal condition.
The group employs 80,000 members of staff in the UK, which includes office-based employees, engineers and sales employees, who work both in the office and at home.
BT uses a model called promote, prevent and restore, and has a strategy that deals with workplace mental and physical health. It offers a series of workplace-embedded preventative display screen equipment tools, manual handling training for engineers, exercise programmes to ensure employees are looking after themselves when working, tailored physiotherapy for all conditions, ranging from hands-on to online one-to-one or group sessions, which employees can refer themselves for.
The organisation runs several campaigns related to physical activity, good posture and the importance of movement; both operational and office-based staff in more sedentary roles are also able to access online exercise classes and resources to help with these. Over the past few years, it has also invested in new office buildings which feature single and collaborative workspaces, height adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs and large mobile screens for its workers in order to prevent musculoskeletal issues.
The group takes care of its employees and recognises that bringing their best self to work is good for performance, says Dr Richard Caddis, director of health, safety and wellbeing, and chief medical officer of BT Group.
“Support helps to reduce ill health and impacts sickness absence,” he explains. “We recognise that wellbeing is not just about who employees are and what work does to them, but also focuses on how to stay active in and out of work from a musculoskeletal point of view. We want our physically active staff to look after their musculoskeletal health for a long period of time to prevent injuries and to remain fit and mobile.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, BT put employee health at the top of its agenda as it became more mindful of the importance of an ergonomic environment due to the number of employees working remotely or flexibly, as well as a lack of available NHS support.
Employers are starting to recognise the importance of early education and intervention around musculoskeletal conditions, with earlier signposting and advice being preferable to an employee becoming unwell, says Caddis.
“While sickness absence from back pain has been replaced by mental health as the leading cause of absence in recent years for some organisations, many are still prioritising it as part of their agendas and offering support for their staff through preventative campaigns and technology to manage symptoms and remain in work,” he says.
“Employers are starting to look at the different roles physiotherapy can play, the usefulness of online musculoskeletal support, such as exercise classes and advice on manging pain symptoms and ergonomic working environments and how necessary health and safety initiatives can be financially viable benefits to both the individual and the business.”