Press Release

Businesses support Government’s call to invest in employee health and wellbeing

17 March 2008

In her workplace health review published today, Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health and Work, calls on employers to invest in employee health and wellbeing, highlighting the significant business benefits.

With a proven return on employee health and wellbeing investment of 3:1 , Business in the Community has launched a national campaign calling for at least 75% of all FTSE 100 companies to publicly report on employee wellbeing by 2011. 

Louise Aston, Director, Business Action on Health said: “The Business Action on Health campaign supports Dame Carol’s call for organisations to invest in health and well-being, by promoting the business case for companies to invest in health as a boardroom issue. The campaign is working in partnership with Government to harness the unique power of business to create a healthier and more competitive society. Well people, who are well managed will result in a healthy organisation where employees are engaged and productive, which helps to drive business and the bottom line. “

“Proposals for improved support around early intervention in sickness absence are also welcomed. When people do go off sick, more comprehensive support from GPs and healthcare professionals will mean employees stay in work or return to work more quickly. Support might include new options for prompt referral to further support or a fit note focused on what people can do, rather than a sick note focused on what they can't.”

The Business Action on Health campaign provides a suite of tools for UK boards to effectively measure bottom line impact of employee health and wellbeing investment for the first time. Organisations including Boots, RWE npower, National Grid, Standard Life Healthcare, Abbey, Aramark, Towers Perrin, Unum and Danone Dairies have already made a three-year commitment to support the campaign.

Alex Gourlay, Managing Director, Boots and Chairman, Business Action on Health said: “An increasing number of companies are integrating well-being into their business strategies to reduce absence costs and boost productivity.  We know substantial investment is already being made in employee well-being, however, public reporting in this area is almost non existent. 

“Our aim is to increase business accountability and competitiveness, by helping companies introduce simple health and wellbeing programmes that can be effectively measured against the bottom line”.