Employers more aware of employees health say TUC
December 14, 2007
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) says more employers are becoming aware of the need to promote a healthy lifestyle for employees, but that they should address problems like stress and poor office design in order to best support employee health.
The union made the comments in a recent submission to Dame Carol Black's review of the health of the working age population, which is currently being undertaken by the Government.
In the submission, the TUC said that employers’ attempts to encourage healthy living are most effective when they look at how work can contribute to or cause lifestyle problems.
The union also warned against employers moralising over lifestyle issues. It acknowledged that good employers may wish to assist any employees who have an addiction problem that is affecting their work, but stressed that they should not interfere in what employees do outside the office if it has no bearing on what goes on at work.
The TUC said, "It is the working environment that often makes staff ill or unhealthy, and the TUC submission urges employers to avoid working arrangements that leave employees desk-bound for long periods of time. Similarly, workplaces with poorly managed workloads or where bullying is rife can increase employees' stress levels."
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