Investment in staff health is money well spent

Providing a workforce with healthcare benefits can save employers millions of pounds, a recent report has found.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) discovered that companies providing workplace benefits such as physiotherapy make significant savings through higher productivity and fewer absences caused by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as back pain and joint injuries.  

The survey follows earlier research carried out by the CSP that showed 31% of staff experienced physical pain at work at least once a week, putting their health at risk and incurring huge cost to employers.

Medicash chief executive Sue Weir said: "Back pain is one of the biggest causes of absence from work. If employees have access to health benefits, such as a cash plan, they may be encouraged to do something more quickly about their condition because they are getting help towards the cost of treating it. However, a combination of training, promoting a positive approach to health and offering support is the first course of action for employers wanting to reduce absence from work due to ill health.

The CSP is concerned that the attitudes of some employers may stop staff seeking help for health problems that may be preventable.

Phil Gray, chief executive of the CPS said: "We recognise it is tempting in difficult economic times for businesses to cut back on health and wellbeing initiatives such as a physiotherapy service. But that is a false economy, because ignoring a recurring condition can potentially lead to lower productivity and high temporary staffing costs. We are calling on HR managers and employers to follow the lead of companies highlighted in the report who invest in the health of their staff."