Should employers be more proactive in looking after employees' physical health?

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Need to know:

A multi-pronged approach including ergonomic assessments, regular breaks and the right equipment can help to prevent working from home leading to musculoskeletal problems.
Existing health benefits often include features, such as virtual GP services, physiotherapy triage and wellbeing apps, that can support employees’ physical health.
Getting line managers to role model good behaviours, such as taking a break for a walk, run or exercise class, will encourage employees to look after their physical health.

Whether enjoying a daily 30-minute walk during lockdown, struggling with back pain after spending weeks working at the kitchen table or trying to get fitter to beat the virus, the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has made employees much more aware of their physical health.

Against this backdrop, employers should be taking a more proactive approach to looking after employees’ physical health, says Charles Alberts, head of health management at Aon. “Physical health is a bit of ticking timebomb," he says. "It takes a while before bad habits such as too little exercise, a poor diet and a bad posture take effect. With employees more aware of the benefits of physical health, it’s an ideal opportunity for employers to step up their support.”

It also makes good business sense. Alongside a duty of care to safeguard staff health and safety, an employee with poor physical health is more likely to take time off and claim on medical and employers’ liability insurances.

Lockdown effect

Although some bad habits take time to turn into health issues, the stresses and strains of lockdown meant that physical health problems manifested themselves almost from the moment everyone was sent home. The interim results from the Institute for Employment Studies’ Working at home wellbeing survey, which were published in April and based on research conducted in the first two weeks of lockdown, show that many employees were suffering from musculoskeletal problems. More than half reported new aches and pains, especially in the neck (58%), shoulder (56%) and back (55%).

With working from home set to be more commonplace, even after the pandemic is over, employers need to be mindful of the risks. Owain Evans, owner and clinical director of Backspace Chiropractic and a member of the board of directors of the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), says: “Working from home is a minefield for injuries. Prolonged periods of inactivity were already a problem with office desks but add in the fact that someone is sat on a sofa or at the kitchen table and it will cause even more issues.”

Fixing the nation’s aches and pains requires a multipronged approach. Employers should provide employees with information about setting up their home office, says Evans. “It’s not necessarily about having the best furniture,” he adds. “A good supportive chair and the right posture are key. The BCA website and YouTube are full of helpful videos.”

Home office equipment

Employers can also reduce risk by providing equipment that encourages good posture. For example, having a separate keyboard and mouse or a standalone monitor can prevent employees from hunching over a laptop.

Risk assessments are also prudent. Carl Laidler, director of wellbeing at Health Shield, explains: “Employers are legally required to offer their staff display screen equipment (DSE) reviews. These are easy to do online and will help identify any potential issues before they turn into serious musculoskeletal problems. The onus is definitely on the employer to do everything it can to safeguard employee health.”

Existing benefits can also provide valuable support. For instance, physiotherapy triage services are common on private medical insurance and health cash plans, giving access to treatment where necessary but also exercises and self-help. Similarly, health benefits often include wellbeing apps, where employees can access everything from tips on posture to yoga and relaxation sessions.

Being more active can also reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal problems; Evans recommends a break for a stretch every 30 minutes, but it can also help with other aspects of an employee’s health. Luke Bullen, chief executive officer, UK and Ireland at Gympass, explains: “Having a regular exercise habit can reduce the risk of obesity and heart problems and even boost mental health. We saw plenty of enquiries during lockdown: it’s very positive that, even then, employers were concerned about their employees’ physical health.”

As well as offering, and promoting, a variety of different benefits to support employees’ physical health, the right culture is essential. “Make sure employees feel able to look after their physical health,” says Alberts. “Line managers can help by encouraging employees to walk around while taking a phone call or to take a break and get some fresh air. It’s having the right culture that really makes the difference.”