A healthy business prioritises staff wellness, leading to increased productivity and higher employee morale.

Healthy and satisfied employees are more engaged and motivated, contributing to a positive workplace culture and improved overall performance.

1 in 3 working age people in the UK have a health condition. Each year in the UK 28.2million working days are lost due to musculoskeletal problems and 14.3 million working days are lost to mental health issues.

Investing in wellness programmes and fostering a supportive and healthy work environment can reduce absenteeism, improve staff retention, prevent burnout and drive long-term success.

Here are some tips on how to do improve the wellbeing of your workforce:

1. Leading by example – Effective leaders who visibly engage in, and endorse, wellness activities inspire their teams to adopt similar habits, creating a healthier, more vibrant workplace.  Examples include taking regular movement breaks, incorporating exercise into their workday and arranging walking meetings. By reframing fitness as a daily necessity and being a role model, leaders can integrate healthy behaviours into the workplace culture, making it a norm rather than an exception. This approach not only promotes physical well-being but also enhances mental health and productivity.
2. Health promotion strategies – can significantly enhance productivity by addressing and meeting the health needs of staff. Implementing simple self-assessment health questionnaires helps understand employees’ health concerns, allowing the development of tailored wellness programmes. Health-focused team-building initiatives, group wellness or education sessions, walk talks, and alcohol-free team events foster a supportive and health-conscious work environment.
3. Prioritising women’s health. Women in the workplace face unique challenges such as menstrual cycle problems, pregnancy, post-partum care, infertility issues and menopause, which all can impact physical and mental well-being. Women often navigate distinct biological and societal roles, including being primary caregivers, adding to their mental load, increasing stress levels, and affecting sleep health, heightening susceptibility to mental health issues. Addressing these challenges with supportive policies like flexible working and implementing necessary workplace adaptations shows a commitment to an inclusive workplace, ultimately improving morale.
4. Preventative health measures –Educating employees about preventative lifestyle behaviours e.g. sleep hygiene, spending time outdoors, daily movement, healthy nutrition and limiting stress, alcohol and smoking, is crucial for creating a healthy, sustainable workforce. Empowering staff with this knowledge enables them to make informed decisions about their health, fostering a culture of wellness. By promoting preventative health, businesses demonstrate a commitment to their employees’ long-term health, contributing to a more vibrant and effective workplace.
5. Access to services – Providing fast and easy access to occupational health services, physiotherapy, mental health support, and women’s health services is vital for staff well-being. These services ensure prompt care, support recovery, and maintain productivity, demonstrating the business’s commitment to employee health, and fostering a supportive and resilient workplace.

Healthy staff are more productive, take less time off sick, and are less likely to need early retirement. Providing resources like health screenings, wellness programmes, and mental health support creates a proactive approach to employee health.

Investing in your team’s health fosters a supportive environment where employees feel valued, leading to sustained organisational success and a healthier, happier productive workforce.