An ‘Investors in health’ award is being considered by ministers looking to encourage employers to promote healthy lifestyles.
The award will be along the lines of the Investors in People Programme, which recognises best-practice in people-management.
The Financial Times reports that the option is under consideration for the government’s public health white paper, which will highlight the responsibility of employers to improve health, stressing the benefits for business in terms of lower staff absence and higher employee performance.
Speaking at the recent Labour Party conference, John Hutton, health minister said that an: “Investors in Health Award was exactly the sort of thing government should be encouraging.”
Nand Gouhari Managing Director from health and well being provider, PPC Worldwide told HRZone:
“Like Investors in People, an Investors in Health award would further encourage employers to pay more attention to the health and well-being of their staff with significant returns on their investments.
“Employers need to recognise that prevention is better than cure: there’s a clear link between proactively keeping people happy and healthy at work and their performance. Looking after staff in a number of different ways including their overall long-term health ensures they bring value to an organisation. Once you have good staff, and invested in their training, the longer you can retain them and the happier and healthier they are whilst they are in your workplace, the more value they can be. In light of the rising age of retirement, this factor becomes even more relevant.”
Gouhari warns that compensation seekers are on the rise and employers must be aware of the pitfalls of disregarding workers health issues.
“They should not only promote a healthy lifestyle by offering subsidised gym membership and salad bars, but also offer support to tackle other health issues through professional counselling, information and advice. They will benefit from improved productivity, morale and healthier, happier teams. The result? A positive impact on the bottom line and a preventive step to stay away from the courts.”
