Anne Coufopoulos, a dietitian and specialist in public health from Coventry University’s faculty of health and life sciences, offers some pointers for how businesses can create a healthier working environment.
Back in January I wrote about the potential business benefits of encouraging good nutrition amongst employees but, as important as healthy eating is, there’s more to maintaining workplace wellbeing than counting calories.
There are a whole host of things that can affect our health and wellbeing – not just in the workplace but in our personal lives as well – and these include external factors that seem beyond our control, like sweeping political change or the economic climate for example. Change brings uncertainty, which can lead to feelings of insecurity, which in turn can impact on our health.
We’re all preparing for change on a national scale with Brexit and while the negotiations over the next two years will give us a better idea of where we’re heading there is currently a great deal of uncertainty about what Britain will look like after it leaves the European Union.
As the Better Health at Work Alliance (BHWA) recently reported, leaving the EU will undoubtedly affect the UK workplace health and wellbeing environment. The most obvious concern, as the alliance notes, is around the knock-on effect of an anticipated post-Brexit economic downturn.
But despite some instability in the immediate period following the referendum it seems that for now at least the predicted economic slump has not materialised. In fact, the UK economy has grown more strongly than most developed countries and this growth is reflected in the workplace health and wellbeing sector too with BHWA reporting its members are now focusing more resources in this area. This makes good business sense as it becomes increasingly important in such uncertain times for employers to make sure their staff members are well and therefore more productive (and happy) at work.
One excellent way of achieving a healthy working environment is by adopting the Workplace Wellbeing Charter.This award allows employers to demonstrate their commitment to the health of their workforce by providing easy and clear guidelines on how to make workplaces a supportive and productive environment in which employees can flourish. It is a voluntary self-assessment scheme open to all public, private and voluntary sector organisations based in England and open to large and small businesses alike and can be implemented without significant financial outlay.
In Coventry, where I’m based, the City Council has been leading and supporting workplace health for many years and since 2014 delivering the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, when it became a national award (indeed much of the earlier work in Coventry was incorporated into the national Charter).
There are over 100 businesses here who are either current holders, have been reaccredited (have held the Charter for over two years) or are working towards it. In terms of human resources, that affects just under 100,000 employees. Coventry University Student Union also has the Charter, does the university’s student services department.
On site services such as free health checks and smoking cessation sessions in the workplace cost employers nothing but could make an immediate difference to their sickness absence costs. Such free services can be invaluable in ‘nudging’ employees to make other changes to their lifestyle like improving their diet and increasing their levels of physical activity which can lead to long-term term health benefits such as reduced blood pressure and improved fitness levels.
I stated at the beginning that nutrition was one aspect of wellbeing in the workplace and, as we have seen above, there are other things employers can do to make their business a healthier place to be. But I have a professional interest in the food we consume – what we eat is important and not just in terms of our own personal health.
Interestingly, a study carried out in the US in 2012 across three large companies, with nearly 20,000 employees found that those who ate an unhealthy diet were 66 per cent more likely to report productivity loss compared with their co-workers who ate whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
So as we continue towards a potentially new era outside of the EU , it seems timely that employers consider the benefits of putting formal plans, such as the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, in place to maintain and further develop a healthy and productive workforce.
Thanks for this post, I am a big fan of this website would like to proceed updated.
I just like the valuable info you supply in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again right here frequently. I am slightly sure I’ll be informed plenty of new stuff proper right here! Best of luck for the next!
Thank you, I have just been searching for info about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
I like this site very much, Its a really nice position to read and receive information. “Anyone can stop a man’s life, but no one his death a thousand doors open on to it. – Phoenissae” by Lucius Annaeus Seneca.
That is the right weblog for anyone who desires to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just nice!
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
I enjoy you because of all of your effort on this blog. My mum takes pleasure in making time for internet research and it’s obvious why. Most of us notice all about the lively method you provide rewarding suggestions through your web site and even improve participation from the others on that idea and our favorite simple princess is certainly learning so much. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the year. You are always conducting a really good job.
I’d should verify with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I take pleasure in studying a put up that can make folks think. Additionally, thanks for allowing me to remark!
Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and include approximately all vital infos. I¦d like to see more posts like this .
What is Boostaro? Boostaro revolutionizes romantic performance enhancement through its reliance on the wisdom of natural ingredients
What is FlowForce Max? FlowForce Max Advanced Formula is a holistic blend designed to promote optimal prostate health
What Is Aizen Power? Aizen Power is presented as a distinctive dietary supplement with a singular focus on addressing the root cause of smaller phalluses
I do consider all of the ideas you’ve introduced to your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for starters. Could you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.
Definitely consider that that you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the easiest factor to keep in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time as other people think about concerns that they plainly do not understand about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , other people can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thanks
Hi! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading through your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects? Thanks a lot!
Thank you for another excellent post. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i am glad to exhibit that I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much undoubtedly will make sure to do not fail to remember this web site and provides it a look on a constant basis.
We are a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with useful information to work on. You have done an impressive task and our entire group can be thankful to you.
Great post, you have pointed out some fantastic details , I besides believe this s a very excellent website.
I do enjoy the manner in which you have framed this particular problem and it does provide me personally some fodder for consideration. Nonetheless, through everything that I have personally seen, I simply hope when the actual commentary pack on that people stay on issue and not start upon a tirade regarding some other news of the day. Anyway, thank you for this outstanding piece and whilst I do not necessarily go along with the idea in totality, I respect the point of view.
Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
I carry on listening to the rumor talk about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i acquire some?
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is really frustrating. A good blog with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
It is truly a great and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
I am impressed with this web site, very I am a big fan .
Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re incredible! Thanks!