Why promote health and wellbeing in the workplace?
Millions of pounds are lost every year due to ill health within the workplace and this has a substantial impact on the Leeds economy. Dame Carol Black, National Director for Work and Health, recently published a review into health at work, Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, which found that ill health was costing the country £100 billion a year – enough to run the entire NHS. Furthermore, in 2004, the University of York calculated that work-related ill health costs Leeds at least £50 million annually. Employers find that improving health and wellbeing in the workplace can bring about many associated benefits, including fewer absences, better retention thus reduced recruitment costs, a practical way to demonstrate corporate social responsibility and more productive, happier employees.
