It is estimated that the average employee spends over 36 hours a week - more than a third of their waking hours - at work. Office-based workers, in particular, often find themselves confined to desks, a sedentary practice that has been linked through research to both physical and mental health challenges. Coupled with mounting performance pressures, employer monitoring and a growing but inflexible enthusiasm for “return to office” mandates, it’s no surprise that people are taking more sick days now than they have at any other time in the past decade.
Reports suggest that the number of sickness days taken by employees has risen sharply to an average of almost eight days per year compared to six days in 2019. A statistic that’s further exacerbated by the fact that a growing number of the UK’s working population is managing a long-term health condition alongside their working responsibilities.
And whilst it’s no secret that recruitment, retention and productivity are inherently linked to employee well-being, employers seem to be missing a trick when it comes to keeping their workforce in better health — with a larger than tolerable proportion being hamstrung by timeworn traditions and an outdated, inflexible approach to the provision of corporate health benefits.
What is holistic health?
Conversely, a more positive trend is emerging where a larger percentage of the working population is showing a keen interest in prioritising their health and well-being. As a result, it is now essential for employers to offer a comprehensive range of health and wellness benefits that cater to the diverse needs of their workforce. This has led to a growing number of companies adopting the concept of holistic well-being in the workplace, which encompasses not only physical health but also mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. While holistic healthcare isn't a new concept and has been advocated by clinical and nursing teams in the NHS, it's now gaining popularity among people teams and occupational health specialists as a crucial component of corporate health strategies.
According to experts, taking a holistic approach to health means recognising that there are several factors beyond primary healthcare systems that contribute to overall well-being, such as quality sleep and spending time outdoors. In recent years, there has also been a growing push from experts for employers to prioritise their employees' mental health as an important aspect of their business model, rather than simply as an optional add-on.
Why should organisations prioritise employees’ holistic health?
A 2023 report by the McKinsey Health Institute found that holistic health is a powerful indicator of an employee's ability to make a positive impact in their workplace. The study revealed that holistic health is a more significant imperative than burnout, engagement, or happiness levels in determining employee performance. The institute surveyed workers across 30 countries and found that those who reported good holistic health responses were more likely to report better job performance.
According to the report, employers who prioritise employees' holistic health are also better equipped to play a more meaningful role within their communities, particularly in cities that are concerned with improving the health of their populations.
Offering the most empowering, flexible health benefits
People want more than just financial incentives at work, according to research by the World Economics Forum. They want to feel that what’s being offered to them meets their individual needs, and that they can connect to their employers’ incentives on a meaningful level, according to its Global Benefits Attitude survey.
One important aspect of this is offering employees choice and flexibility to customise their benefits package, since research shows that this fosters job satisfaction - and, in turn, boosts productivity. With an increasingly health-conscious population, it is important for employers to be reviewing their offerings on a regular basis, to ensure that they’re up-to-date and well aligned to market trends.
Reimagining the traditional health MOT
While annual health check-ups have been a staple part of employee benefits packages, the traditional approach can be seen as outdated and not well-suited to the modern workforce's needs for flexibility and choice. Research shows that people face several obstacles when attending such check-ups, including a lack of time and difficulty scheduling appointments around other commitments. Therefore, it is increasingly important for employers to consider more convenient and accessible options for their employees' health screenings.
At Thriva Solutions, we understand the significance of making personal and preventive healthcare accessible to employees. That’s why we have recently joined forces with Heka to make convenient diagnostic testing available within the workplace. Heka's flexible benefits have been voted as the best on the market by 99% of companies, and our partnership offers a range of blood testing packages to cater to a wide variety of employee health goals.
Whether you're interested in obtaining general health information or improving your sleep and energy levels, a Thriva blood test can provide an invaluable glimpse into what’s really going on inside your body. You can collect your sample either at-home using our intuitive finger-prick kits or at your workplace facilitated by one of our phlebotomy partners and with GP-reviewed results delivered securely to your account within 48 hours, you'll receive actionable insights that help you take proactive steps to improving your health profile.
Contextualising health tests with educational content
According to the World Health Organisation, a healthy workplace should provide personal health resources to help employees improve and maintain their health habits in support of both their physical and mental health. Innovative employers should work towards removing some of the common barriers that people face when making healthier lifestyle choices and support their employees to reach their personal health goals.
At Thriva, we understand the significance of supplementing regular health screenings with the provision of relevant and informative content that helps contextualise the results. That's why we’re routinely adding new content to our HealthHub library to offer a regular drumbeat of educational material that can support people in their journey to making more informed decisions around their health. Thriva’s HealthHub covers a wide range of popular topics such as cholesterol, vitamins, liver health, women's health, men’s health, thyroid health, and mental health, among others.
Alex Hind, CEO of Heka, supports this belief:
Together, we are firm believers that empowering employees with more choice and flexibility in their employment benefits is crucial to driving a more engaged workforce. Employers who promote a culture of holistic health can significantly improve the overall well-being of their workforce by placing greater emphasis on accessibility, convenience, and early intervention. This not only leads to a healthier workforce but also results in increased productivity.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you enhance your employee benefits package to foster a more preventative and health-conscious workforce.