Stimulate health

Stimulate health

It is then up to the employee to work with the insight or knowledge. In any case, we must move away from the idea that the employee himself spontaneously comes to the employer with complaints. The employee fears that it will have social consequences for him and added to this is the fact that employees can hardly estimate the long-term effect of their work.

The HR Manager must therefore strike a balance between "meddling" with her staff's lifestyle and encouraging healthy choices. It is time for a clear and preventive approach.

Employees expect employers to take the initiative when it comes to promoting health in the workplace. Conversely, employers expect employees to sound the alarm when they experience excessive workloads or are concerned about their physical health.

"As long as I don't hear anything, it'll be fine," is a common response from management. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. It is very rare for employees to approach their employer themselves.

• Workers have difficulty assessing the impact of work on their long-term health.
• Workers are uncertain about the social consequences when they say they can no longer handle the work.
• Workers fear being passed over.
• Workers worry about their privacy.

Opinions among HR divided

Health incentives for and against:

For

• There are financial risks associated with early employee failure or high absenteeism. Investing in the health of staff therefore offers financial benefits. It makes sense for an employer to make the case for this. In addition, reducing absenteeism is more than necessary and that is the employer's job.
• There is nothing wrong with encouraging healthier living through healthy lunches, more exercise and a good work-life balance.
• Creating awareness of a healthy lifestyle in the workplace is an ideal way to encourage healthier living.

Against

• If an employee drops out due to private circumstances, it is up to the employee to take responsibility for that.
• Responsibility for one's own health lies primarily with the employee. The employer only has to offer solutions.
• The employer should not interfere with the employee' s private life.

Balance between encouraging and interfering

From our experience, employees are disappointed in the extent to which their employer tries to keep them healthy, fit and productive. So the fact that it recently came out that three-quarters of workers are not encouraged by their employer to take the stairs instead of the elevator comes as no surprise.

It may be clear that there is more need for support. But to what extent may the employer offer support? Paying attention to the following three points will go a long way.

• The work does not adversely affect the employee's health.
• Employees can get some fresh air during work hours, have the opportunity to make healthy choices at lunch and get plenty of exercise.
• Ample solutions are offered to improve mental and physical health.

Actually making healthy choices is up to the employee, but the employer may influence the choice.

• Make fast food in the cafeteria more expensive and healthy products cheaper.
• Talk to employees about their fitness and lifestyle.
• Provide tips for healthier living in the workplace.

Despite employers being required by law to provide health risk reduction opportunities for employees, few still take advantage of them. Funny, since the workplace is an ideal place to encourage healthier living.

Insight through confrontation

Gaining insight into the health of employees can encourage a healthier lifestyle. In addition, it shows where any problems lie, allowing the employer to offer support to its staff on the road to better health. If management understands the importance of sustainable employability and develops an effective approach, employees will naturally follow.

A good example of this is the approach taken by BMW | MINI Amsterdam. They offer their employees a vitality program, which includes a health check. "The enthusiasm of our staff shows that it's good to hold up a mirror to yourself every now and then, " says Reinier Mutsearts, director of BMW MINI Amsterdam.

"We think health in the workplace is very important. A health check combined with our vitality program makes employees live healthier lives. We see the most creative ideas come up, such as a marathon in our parking garage and green smoothies at lunch. Crazy things like that happen because we take the initiative," Reinier says.

Move with the times

Behavior change requires a stimulating work environment. How this is implemented varies by industry and corporate culture. Professor of Organizational Behaviour Andre Spicer believes employers would do well to capitalize on the health trend "Corporate wellness.

This term covers activities organized to get employees to move more and relax more. For example, you can think of team building with health in mind, fitness opportunities or yoga classes.

Increase the vitality of your staff and create a healthy work environment!