Home » Blog » It’s a new year, so how do you support a healthier workforce?

A traditional New Year resolution is to be healthier.  Here are some ideas on how you can support that in the workplace.

1. Promote healthy eating

Not only does offering free healthy snacks to employees help embed healthy eating practices across the workforce, it is also proven to increase productivity and retain staff.

The results of a survey undertaken by the corporate catering firm Eat Club, found that 60% of the staff from the 1,050 professionals in small to medium-sized businesses asked would be happier if their employers offered free health snacks or meals.

Healthy eating isn’t just about the snacks themselves; it also means taking time away from your desk to eat and digest (and hopefully enjoying it too).  Not to mention actually enjoying it too.

2. Offer a subsidised gym membership

Offering a gym membership is another popular work benefit. In fact, it was one of the top three staff perks among one in five workers aged 20 to 30 in a study by PWC.

There is a lot to be gained by offering a gym membership to employees. Researchers at Stockholm University concluded that businesses who offer this benefit have higher productivity levels and reduced sickness absence.

3. Support smoking cessation

According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), UK businesses pick up a bill to the tune of £8.7 billion per year as a result of lost productivity due to smoking breaks and related sick leave.

Smoking cessation support can include cessation programmes, online counselling and social support services, medication, and behavioural support.

Supporting a healthier lifestyle also promoted a sense of well being among your staff, which leads to loyalty and better productivity.  Therefore offering staff perks in this arena benefits all.

Let’s get working together for a healthier office.

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