HAVE YOU EVER WORRIED THAT YOU WON’T MEET A DEADLINE SO YOU DEDICATE YOUR FREE TIME TO YOUR JOB?
The pursuit to climb the career ladder is full scale. It can’t be half done, so how do we get a better balance so our health isn’t always pushed to the bottom of the pile?
Exercise is good for us, we all know it. More and more, not just the physical benefits but the mental and emotional benefits to our well-being are highlighted.
Despite this, health is often pushed to the bottom of the priority list. It’s tough let’s be honest. The relentless emails, meetings and working through your task list can’t be ignored.
You try and prioritise it, but so often something else ‘more important’ comes up. This scenario is a constant.
A gym visit once a week, month, quarter ….
Given that we so easily put off exercising, we should be asking ourselves how important it really is.
TODAY, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, WE ARE SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, USUALLY IN A HUNCHED POSITION WORKING ON OUR SMARTPHONES OR COMPUTERS.
It’s forcing our spine to curve is putting pressure on it.
If we continue to sit like this, it will lead to eventual wear and tear of not only our spinal discs but also ligaments and muscles.
Musculoskeletal (back, neck injuries etc.) issues lose 6.6 million days at work. An average of 14 Days each case.
As this may not be an immediate problem it is easily ignored, but what is your productivity like being curled up like this.
This is what really matters, how much is it costing you by NOT being active and staying physically and mentally healthy? IS THIS INFORMATION FOR YOU, OR YOUR EMPLOYER?
Well, it’s for you to take personal responsibility for your own health first, because your company cares about finances first.
There is nothing wrong with that.
If they don’t, you don’t get paid – but by highlighting the financial implications they will realise how important your health really is.
In 2018, health insurance company Vitality reported that in the UK, factors such as depression, poor lifestyle choices, and stress are costing BILLIONS.
All of which can be targeted by businesses through health and wellbeing initiatives.
The cost was equal to £61bn.
The study also revealed that employers lose, on average, 35.6 working days per employee per year due to health-related absence and presenteeism.
MENTAL HEALTH WAS FOUND TO BE A SIGNIFICANT DRIVER OF PRODUCTIVITY LOSS.
Accounting for £38bn of the total cost to businesses, of this, £17.2bn stems specifically from workplace stress.
Additional to this, Deloitte found poor mental health costs UK employers up to £45 billion a year from a report published in 2020. Rising 16% since 2016, this adds up to an extra £6bn a year for UK employers.
This is Pre-pandemic. What can it be now? Further research is needed.
They also stated the impressive ROI of health interventions. For every £1 spent by employers on mental health interventions, they get £5 back in reduced absence, presenteeism, and staff turnover
Simply implementing intervention programs is no longer enough.
We need to prioritize employee engagement in health and wellbeing initiatives.
If this starts at Board Level we have a bigger chance of success.
This is how you we can make a significant difference to productivity and the overall success of the business.
This is fact, not opinion
These endorphins will lead to a positive attitude, creating a less stressed workforce. Their immune systems are generally stronger, meaning they can fight off sickness better. This is a huge benefit to businesses, which are today spending billions on sick days.
People are most companies’ biggest asset. Health should be priority.
A fit and healthy workforce will help to combat absenteeism and presenteeism.
Learn the right way to get you and your business in shape. Train and eat smart.
Need help doing that? Check out the link below.