Why workplace wellness matters

Workplace wellness has become a buzzword in the past couple of months or so, with businesses becoming more aware of the benefits of taking care 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 have received any training
Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. Mental health has never been more prevalent within the workplace with many feeling like they cannot talk about the subject. 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, with the cost of mental illness to the economy estimated 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 will be able to spot the signs of mental health issues, effectively support anyone dealing with mental stress and 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 and 8.9 million working days were lost due to the disorder. Musculoskeletal disorders can affect muscles, joints and tendons in all parts of the body. They can develop within the workplace due to inactivity as the average UK office worker sits for over 8.9 hours a day, which is why it is vital to rectify this and offer employees solutions that allow them to move more! The health risks associated with excessive sitting can include a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, mental health, hernia and poor core strength. Offering you workforce Sit Stand Desks can allow employees to move more, kick start their metabolism, burn calories, improve blood circulation and posture, sleep better, reduce blood pressure and stress, and improve concentration.

Healthy lifestyle – over 63% of adults are classed as being overweight or obese
Public Health England have revealed there are significant costs associated with obesity and 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 has found that 34% of respondents in a survey 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.

If you are interested in offering wellness solutions to your workplace, please visit www.yourwellnesshub.co.uk. OR if you wish to receive a FREE consultation on your Workplace Wellness Strategy, please email [email protected] and we will organise this for you.