The Trade Union Congress has recognised the importance of employee health and wellbeing programmes in reducing absence and boosting productivity.
It recommended that firms introduce benefits such as cycle to work, access to gym facilities, healthy foods and employee assistance programmes to support staff in this approach.
Its Work and wellbeing report highlighted that the best way of tackling ill health was to stop workers from getting ill in the first place and so promoted interventions and stress-reduction measures.
The report said that the best method for improving the general wellbeing of a workforce was to change the way work was organised and managed. For example, reducing workplace stress was noted as far more useful than providing on-site massage for stressed workers.
It also encouraged employers to promote healthier working and help union safety reps identify what within their workplaces is making staff ill.
A number of ways that employers and unions might try to encourage a healthier attitude among employees were cited.
These included:
- Providing an on-site gym or subsidised membership of a local fitness centre;
- Encouraging employees to cycle to work by providing a secure storage place for bikes, introducing schemes where staff can get discounted bikes and cycling accessories and having workplace shower facilities;
- Offering healthy options in the canteen, encouraging staff not to eat lunch at their desks, or by providing a regular supply of free fruit to encourage employees to pick the occasional apple over their regular chocolate bar;
- Giving staff the chance to access an EAP which can help them cope with personal problems that could have an impact on their performance at work, or offer advice with financial concerns, or on problems they may be having with colleagues.
However the TUC urged that any lifestyle changes should be introduced in a completely non-judgmental manner so that no employee felt changes were being forced upon them.
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Healthier lifestyles are something we should all be aspiring to, and given the amount of time we spend at work, the workplace is a good place to start.
"Work can create a lot of health issues such as back problems, and it can also be a cause of stress which is linked to the increased use of tobacco and alcohol. Similarly, if employees are sitting down all day and only have access to junk food during their lunch break then they have more chance of developing heart disease or diabetes in later life.
"Far too many days a year are being lost through ill health. Sensible employers who are able to identify problems at an early stage, and who introduce changes to prevent ill health and promote well-being will reduce sickness absence and increase productivity," he added.
