However, the findings also illustrate that through investing in the health and wellbeing of their employees, employers can generate tangible returns, with over three in four (77%) businesses who offer benefits highlighting a positive impact on the workforce.
Widespread ‘presenteeism’ as average sick days fall
In what may be a surprise to employers, Aviva’s findings suggest private sector workers are fearful of heavy workloads if they take time off, as more than one in five (41%) say their work will pile up if they are off sick. With people continuing to work while they are unwell, it is likely that they are less productive as a consequence and in turn could also affect the health of other employees.
The worrying trend comes against the backdrop of a historic fall in the average number of sick days taken annually by UK employees, dropping to a record low of 4.3 days in 2016 compared with 7.2 days in 1993 when tracking began.
Minority of employers give increased attention to health and wellbeing
The report findings highlight that only 13% of employers feel there has been more of a focus on employee health and wellbeing over the past year, while just over one in ten (12%) feel there has been an improvement in the working environment over the past year, with employees seeming healthier and happier. Such views chime with employees’ own assessment of their situation: more than two in five (42%) admit they often feel stressed or anxious at work, rising to 46% among younger workers (18-34 year olds). Employers could also be underestimating the impact stress has on their employees, as only 23% cite this as an issue. Instead, employers view coping with workload (32%) and dealing with change (24%) as greater challenges faced by their employees. Investing in health and wellbeing pays off However, Aviva’s findings also suggest that those businesses who do invest in their employees’ health and wellbeing are reaping the rewards. Of those that offer health and wellbeing benefits, more than three in four (77%) believe this has had a positive impact on the workforce. Employers also report increased happiness levels (41%) among employees with improved morale (32%) and productivity (30%) as a result of having initiatives in place to keep employees healthy. Furthermore, in a sign of potential changes afoot, two in three (65%) businesses think the workforce will work more flexibly in five years’ time. Notably, of the 64% of businesses who currently offer flexible working, almost seven in ten (68%) said their employees were happier as a consequence. Investing in health and wellbeing pays off
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Long commutes costing firms a week’s worth of staff productivity 25 May 2017
Long commutes are causing poor health and productivity outcomes for the nation’s employees, according to research from Britain’s Healthiest Workplace
The study of more than 34,000 workers across all UK industries examined the impact of commuting as well as flexible and home working on employee health and productivity.
Key findings from the research include:
Long commutes linked to higher levels of stress and reduced productivity Employees commuting less than half an hour have extra seven days’ worth of productive time each year Flexible working helps improve health and productivity but working from home shown to have no positive health or productivity impact.
The study found that employees commuting less than half an hour to get to work gain an additional seven days’ worth of productive time each year compared to those with commutes of 60 minutes or more.
Longer commutes appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with longer-commuting workers 33% more likely to suffer from depression, 37% more likely to have financial concerns and 12% more likely to report multiple
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Policy News Journal
cipp.org.uk
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