As a large part of a person’s life is spent at work, employers can and should play an important part in helping their workers achieve a good quality of life. The workplace can also be a useful arena to encourage people to improve their health. Fit, healthy, and motivated employees are the key to success in any well-run business.
Creating a healthy workplace and workforce, is about so much more than minimising risk and preventing injuries. It’s about creating a working environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle, supports people in their recovery from periods of poor health, and provides positive adjustments for those who have a disability or chronic health conditions.
The benefits of promoting health in the workplace for employers are many and include:
- Healthier employees
- A positive attitude to stress and mental wellbeing
- Increased productivity
- Improved resilience
- Lower rates of non-attendance and quicker return to work after illness
- Less injuries/accidents in the workplace, including a positive impact on back pain
- Greater staff retention and commitment
- Better communication and morale and general improvement in the working atmosphere
- A positive image of the organisation
The benefits for employees who take positive steps to look after their health, with the support of their employer, include:
- Better physical health
- Improved mental health
- Improved quality of life
- Better professional performance
There are a number of organisations and websites which can assist employers and employees to work together as a team to address health and wellbeing in the workplace, these can be found in the drop-down below.
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Useful Links
The British Heart Foundation has produced a Health at Work Toolkit, and it can be accessed online at www.bhf.org.uk/healthatwork
The Public Health Agency has published a document to help support employers and employees to access information on improving health and wellbeing. Click on this link to access it www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/Workplace_Health_Guide_08_17.pdf
The Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke Well Team is a FREE Workplace Health and Wellbeing Support Service, funded by the Public Health Agency. It is open to small and medium sized workplaces that are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of their employees in a workplace setting and are based in the Northern HSC Trust area. This covers workplaces in the areas of Antrim to Coleraine and Cookstown to Larne. For further information click here: https://nichs.org.uk/how-we-can-support-you/wellni/well-team/
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland provides a Keeping Well Service, and a Stop Smoking Service, all of which can be delivered in the working environment. Click this link to read more cancerfocusni.org/cancer-prevention/cancer-prevention-services/keeping-well-health-check-services/
To find out information about benefits, pensions, benefit fraud, welfare changes, private pensions and legislation that governs the work of the Department for Communities, look online at www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/benefits-and-pensions
Business in the Community has a mix of programmes and initiatives that help businesses achieve their responsible business objectives, and their strategic goals, ultimately contributing to the health and wellbeing of their employees. Click this link to read more: www.bitcni.org.uk/our-programmes/