Large or small, businesses and organisations are only as productive and effective as the people working within them, but as with any operation that involves people, incidences of poor health, illness, and sickness absence are unavoidable.
As reported by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in May 2023, levels of sickness, and in particular, long-term sickness in the UK, are at a record high.
While Employers work hard to prioritise the wellbeing, health and welfare of Employees (and have a duty of care to do so), even the most caring and compassionate of Employers knows that, despite any illness that might be affecting Employees, a business still needs to run.
High levels of sickness can negatively impact productivity, operations and finances, but they can also have a negative impact on the atmosphere and culture within a business, especially where extra workloads need to be carried by remaining Employees.
In recognition of these issues, the UK Government has announced a new free NHS Health Check programme, aimed at protecting Employees from life-altering conditions, and thereby organisations from financial, productivity and people losses.
The UK Government vowed to boost economic growth in the UK by ‘improving the health of the nation’, and the new scheme forms part of the Health and Social Care secretary’s commitment to this.
“Life-Saving Health Checks”
The NHS Health Check, which can be carried out “quickly and easily” in the workplace and will record a range of information from each person, using it to determine their cardiovascular risk. The scheme states that people will be better protected from diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes. Currently it is being offered across a variety of sectors, including building, hospitality, transport, and social care.
Rolled out to more than 130,000 people in workplaces across the UK since 30th August 2024, it is believed that the new programme could help improve wellbeing, mitigate drops in productivity, and reduce sickness absence and the costs associated with it.
Removing Barriers To Better Health?
There are always Employees who suspect or realise that they have a health issue, but choose not to see a healthcare professional, often due to inconvenient timing, or feeling that they cannot afford to take time off work to seek medical care or feeling pressure from their Employer or colleagues (perceived or otherwise), to push through, despite illness. These are some of the main culprits behind presenteeism – a loss in productivity that occurs when Employees fail to fully function at work, due to illness, injury or a condition.
Offering free health checks that take place within the workplace can remove some of the barriers to seeking medical advice/care, allowing Employees access to a service they may have otherwise declined.
If, for any reason, the workplace or industry doesn’t allow for on-site health checks, it would be best practice for Employers to provide paid annual leave for Employees to attend the health checks at their GP.
Encouraging A Better Uptake
Over 16 million people, aged 40-74, are eligible for the NHS Health Check, but data shows that only 40% of those invited have taken up the offer.
Employers have a duty of care to make reasonable adjustments for Employees with illnesses or disabilities, should they need them to be able to access and carry out their work tasks. Employers who are seen to work hard at making these changes happen wherever possible can demonstrate their willingness to support Employees in staying in work, thereby encouraging more to take up health screening, safe in the knowledge that their health needs will be taken care of and that their job won’t automatically be at risk – the latter being one more reason why some Employees choose not to investigate health issues or reveal their health statuses.
Will It Be Enough?
The NHS health checks, for people who do not have pre-existing health conditions, measure height, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. However, it has been highlighted that the programme will need to address Employees’ mental health as well as their physical health to see the most effective and long-term benefits, particularly as mental health issues make up a high proportion of the increased rate in sickness absence since Covid-19.
Pre-emptive Steps For Employers
While many recognise that the free NHS health checks are a positive step by the Government in its attempts to improve UK health and well-being, reduce impacts on organisations, and boost the economy, many also feel that there are even more pre-emptive steps that Employers can take, in support of both such initiatives, as well as their own Employees.
Employers can look at ways to support, contribute to, and improve the well-being of their Employees before it reaches the point of needing time off work and medical attention.
The data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), as mentioned earlier, provides helpful detail for identifying the types of ill health that are impacting organisations most, and as such, Employers can tailor and offer support in accordance with that.
Employers cannot tell Employees how to live their lives, but they can encourage healthy and positive lifestyle changes where needed and provide access to information and resources for making these changes happen. It is always worth creating a culture within the workplace that embraces healthy physical, mental and emotional habits, both in the workplace and outside in the world.
Conclusion
The introduction of workplace health checks can benefit Employees by allowing them to get checked out without worrying about taking time off, and to use the knowledge of their health statuses to work and rest effectively.
For Employers, the health checks can potentially contribute towards reducing the risk of future absenteeism and productivity loss.
The best pre-emptive strike, though, will always be to support Employees’ physical, mental and emotional health and well-being throughout their employment and their working life.