Workplaces need to work for peoples health
Almost half (47 per cent) of Ireland’s employers are providing facilities to promote physical activity or healthy diets amongst their workforce, according to a nationwide study of 1,000 employees commissioned by the Nutrition and Health Foundation to mark Ireland’s first National Workplace Wellbeing Day on Friday (March 27).
However, the research also showed that, on average, fewer than half of the employees use the available facilities. The only exception is subsidised canteens, where usage stands at 80 per cent.
Ireland’s first National Workplace Wellbeing Day aims to improve employee health through promoting better physical activity and nutrition in the workplace. Hundreds of public and private sector organisations are supporting the initiative, including Aramark, Bank of Ireland, CPL, ESB, Fenero, Healthy Ireland, Ibec and Teleflex. Some companies are planning special events for staff, such as healthy breakfasts, BMI testing, yoga, cookery demonstrations and lunchtime walks.
Professor Niall Moyna, Centre of Preventative Medicine, DCU, and chairman of the Nutrition and Health Foundation, has called on more organisations to put workplace wellbeing at the centre of their business and employee engagement strategies.
He said: “Many companies are doing a lot in this area but there is more that can be done. Approximately 11 million days are lost through absenteeism every year at a cost of €1.5 billion to the economy. The workplace provides an excellent opportunity to improve people’s health and wellbeing with a positive impact on productivity too. Improving employee wellbeing is in everyone’s best interest.
“The good news is that small changes in health promotion within the workplace environment can really improve people’s health. Any organisation can get involved. It doesn’t cost money to facilitate lunchtime walks or stand-up meetings, or to encourage staff to take the stairs rather than the lift. These can all contribute towards the recommended 30 minutes of exercise daily.”
Dr. Muireann Cullen, director of the Nutrition and Health Foundation, said employee 'buy-in' is critical. “Employers who involve employees from the outset when designing and developing workplace wellbeing programmes will find their employees are more likely to participate in and lead healthy initiatives in the workplace.”
Another of the study's findings was that Irish workers do not eat enough fruit and vegetables or drink enough water. When it comes to physical activity, on average those in the workforce spend over four hours sitting each day, rising to six hours for those with professional, managerial or administration roles. Only one in three workers take the recommended level of exercise for a healthy lifestyle each week.