Only 18 per cent of employers offer their male employees urological support, according to new research from Peppy.
Peppy warns that failing to address this will come at a tremendous cost to the health and welfare of its male employees and those who were biologically allocated to the male gender.
Employers have a tremendous opportunity to offer help because one in two people2 will experience a urological problem in their lifetime. If symptoms go untreated, they can cause shame and worry, which can cause employees to become disengaged and miss work.
Peppy director of men’s health Helen Lake says: “Urological problems can affect employees in a very personal way and affect inter-personal relationships too. They are often the types of conditions that men do not want to admit to themselves let alone share with their partner, and so rather than confront the problem, situations are avoided especially intimate moments. When health matters are not dealt with, not only can the condition itself deteriorate but this, in turn, can affect mental health, which is when an employer may start to notice that an individual is not quite themselves.
“By providing urology support via the workplace, employers empower men to seek support – which importantly doesn’t necessarily require the forethought to book a GP appointment ahead of time or ask a line manager for time off. Having efficient access to support can also increase utilisation rates as men are more likely to take action when they are symptomatic.
“Employers may find that offering support via an app or online platform is most effective in terms of getting men engaged and supported in their healthcare as it is confidential, discrete, and efficient. However, regardless of the delivery method, it’s clear that workplace support for men’s urology issues needs to become more of the norm rather than the exception.”
