Why We Need Health and Well-Being Programmes

The shifting demographic profile of Britain and of its workforce has very specific implications for employers. General trends in population demographics, rising costs of chronic disease and external pressures such as corporate social responsibility are well recognised reasons to implement the Pro-Fit Health and Well-Being Programme.

Changing Demographics

Due to better education standards and better medical standards, the UK has an ageing population, which is directly linked to an ageing workforce.

According to the Confederation of British Industry, sickness absence can cost roughly £495 per employee per year.

According to the DWP estiamates, by 2024, nearly 50% of the adult population will be 50 and over.

The implementations of this are proving expensive for employers.

Rise in Chronic Disease

Though there have been massive advancements in medicine over the last 50 years, the rate of chronic disease has risen significantly.

It is estimated that chronic disease rates will continue to rise disproportionately. Much of this is due to an increase in poor lifestyle factors that are known risk factors for chronic disease, which include poor nutrition, smoking and lack of exercise.

Did you know?

“Approximately 13.8 million working days lost in 2006/7 due to work-related stress, depression and anxiety.”

Rise in Costs

The cost if ill health in the workplace is high and is rapidly becoming and issue that employers can no long afford to ignore. The poor health of the workforce is a cost to employers both through increased absenteeism and lowered job performance.

Some of the related figures:

  • a. The HSE estimates that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were responsible for 9.5 million lost working days in 2005
  • b. Approximately 13.8 million working days lost in 2006/7 due to work-related stress, depression and anxiety.
  • c. Employees suffering from stress are also more likely to report depression and other psychosomatic complaints, resulting in greater need for recovery due to exhaustion and fatigue compared to workers without high level of work-related stress.
  • d. Research shows that smokers cost employers 64 minutes a day in lost productivity.
  • e. According to the Confederation of British Industry, sickness absence can cost roughly £495 per employee per year.

Presenteeism is defined as reduced performance and productivity due to health while at work. This is more difficult to measure.

According to a US study, presenteeism is actually more costly than absenteeism, costing approximately two to three times more than direct health costs incurred as a result of illness.

While hard data on the costs of presenteeism in the UK is unavailable at this time, preliminary evidence suggests that presenteeism could cost employers 2 to 7 times more than absenteeism.

For many employers, the costs of ill health, which, given the ageing population and the increase in chronic disease will only grow in the absence of intervention.