In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, the role of employers in supporting employee health and wellbeing has never been more critical. Findings from our most recent Britain’s Healthiest Workplace report which examined 10 years’ worth of data found that 63 per cent of employees want their employers to do more to support their health. We also know from this same report, that the link between employee health and productivity is massive, with employees at risk of depression losing an average of 151 per cent more productive time than those not at risk.
As businesses recognise the direct link between employee health and wellbeing and productivity, the focus on mental health and musculoskeletal issues has intensified, which makes sense given the prolific nature and impact these conditions can have on the person’s ability to work. However, an often-overlooked area where employers can make a significant impact is in reducing employees’ risk to long term health conditions and diseases such as cancer.
According to Cancer Research UK 4 in 10 cancer cases in the UK each year could have been prevented by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Ultimately most of us know that we might need to do more physical activity, have a healthier diet, as well as cut down on drinking or quit smoking. However, committing to this can be difficult, which is where incentivisation and employer support can come into play.
Our data shows 23 per cent of employees were obese in 2023 – a 51 per cent increase since 2014. It also shows that a concerning number of us are obese, with this number having steadily increased between 2014 and 2023 for all age groups.
The impact that maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active has in reducing a person’s risk of cancer has long been known. According to Cancer Research UK, being physically active can help reduce the risk of 13 different types of cancer, including breast and colon cancers. Furthermore, the charity also highlights that obesity is the UK’s biggest cause of cancer after smoking, causing more than 1 in 20 cancer cases in the UK.
Being physically active to reduce your risk of cancer doesn’t mean you have to start running ultra marathons, it can be as simple as doing 10,000 steps three times a week which can lower your risk of cancer by 19 per cent, and exercising three or more times each week for three years was also linked to a 27 per cent reduction in overall mortality.
By creating a culture of health and wellbeing, including discounted gym or exercise class access, walking groups and providing access to experts to provide support, and expertise businesses can help create an environment clear of common barriers to exercise, as well as encourage and incentivise healthy habits. Equally, setting up employee challenges whereby teams reach activity goals together, and rewarded for doing so, can also incentivise increased physical activity as well as create a helpful sense of community.
Similarly to physical activity, poor diet is a significant risk factor for cancer. For instance, eating too little fibre is linked to 3-4 per cent of cancer cases in the UK, and processed meat consumption is associated with 1-2 per cent of cancer cases in the UK.
Despite this, we know that more than half (56 per cent) of employees were not eating healthily in 2023. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t want support or advice with healthy eating, with nearly a third of employees (27 per cent) saying workplace health initiatives like healthy eating would be useful to them. Yet only 14 per cent of employees are offering these initiatives at their place of work.
In today’s workplace, employers have a unique opportunity to champion employee health and wellbeing, which in turn boosts productivity and morale. By fostering a culture of health businesses can make a profound impact on employee wellbeing and create a supportive and thriving work environment.
