Over half of employees believe that their employers have some responsibility for their health and wellbeing, while just 35 per cent felt that their current employer actually cared about it, according to research by health screening service provider, ToHealth.
The survey, carried out in conjunction with YouGov also revealed that 66 per cent of employees would like to attend an on-site health check in the workplace.
Robin Skinner, general manager at ToHealth said: “Nowadays, people are more aware of the potential health issues associated with a sedentary lifestyle such as musculoskeletal conditions and feel that their employers should be helping them to combat work-related health issues.”
Many workplaces now offer cycle to work initiatives and gym memberships, but few provide on-site health screenings.
Skinner explained: “Employers often don’t understand what health screenings can do. They provide an understanding of the state of health of the entire workforce and where problems lie. This is important if HR professionals are to effectively target education, advice and help.”
While ToHealth’s investigation revealed that 45 per cent of those surveyed would value a free annual health check, many people who are offered health screenings, do not take up the offer, as it can mean half a day or more out of the office.
Some 59 per cent of respondents also said they would be likely to attend a free health check lasting 30 minutes. This figure rose to 67% among 18-24 year olds.
The government has sought to encourage employers to improve general health within their organisations through its Health, Work and Wellbeing and Fit for Work initiatives. The latest NHS Five Year Forward View, places great emphasis on preventative measures and calls for lessons to be learned after similar warnings more than a decade ago were not heeded.
In 2013 the Office of National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the UK labour market lost 131 million days due to sickness absence.
In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, ‘Burnout, stress and being human’, Heather Beach is joined by Stacy Thomson to discuss burnout, perfectionism and how to deal with burnout as an individual, as management and as an organisation.
We provide an insight on how to tackle burnout and why mental health is such a taboo subject, particularly in the workplace.
