A company with healthy employees will be more successful than one with less-active staff, a conference in Swindon heard today.
The Active@Work event, run by Swindon’s Mindful Employer Network and held at the town’s Jurys Inn, heard four speakers from various organisations talk about the business benefits of a healthy workforce.
Jane Abraham, from Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, said: “A healthy and engaged workforce creates a high-performing environment and a resilient workforce.”
If an employee leads an active life style, taking least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week, then they will be more focused and more committed to achieving success, she said.
A recent study from the European Centre of Human Health predicts that by 2025, some 40% of adults in the UK will be obese. To counteract this depressing statistic, employees need to live healthier working lives.
Ms Abraham referred to comments by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who said employers needed to take more responsibility for the health of their staff.
They should invest time in creating a healthy workforce as it will reduce costs through fewer sickness absences, lower staff turnover and less need for training. It would also increase the productivity and performance of their employees.
Tracey Scarr of Arval UK Group, the Swindon-based fleet car company and an Active@Work employer, believes firms should provide free resources to help their workforce keep active and to hold ‘bike and walk to work’ weeks throughout the year.
She is a strong believer in the success of a company being measured on how active its workforce is.
Other speakers at the conference were Dr Dinesh Sirisena, registrar in sports and exercise medicine, and Claire Fleming, Swindon Council’s travel awareness officer.
Delegates at the conference could enjoy a free smoothie a free health check during the break.
For more information visit www.ecehh.org or contact david.latham@richmondfellowship.org.uk.
