Caring for employees' health during the recession

Looking after the wellbeing of employees is crucial for an organisation to survive the recession and it's critical to have systems in place to address this. Whilst the right level of stress keeps us motivated, increased pressure and worry relating to the economic climate can lead to low morale, ill health and high staff turnover.

In the current economic climate businesses must look closely at the health and wellbeing of their employees and need to be aware of the potential for increased physical and mental health problems. People worrying about their jobs or debt may suffer from headaches, depression and other stress-related illnesses. Bosses need to be vigilant about staff taking time off sick as the financial impact can be crippling. Last year the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released statistics that estimated 34 million days were lost due to work related ill health and workplace injury, costing the UK economy billions of pounds.

Employers who offer access to stress counselling services will be providing an invaluable benefit to their workforce as well as meeting government guidelines. Stress counselling can be provided as part of employee assistance programmes (EAPs) where individuals have access to professional counsellors via a counselling helpline or face to face counselling sessions if required. Healthcare cash plan provider Medicash include a counselling benefit in their cash plans and not surprisingly have found that calls to their counselling service have increased since the start of the recession.

It is widely accepted that exercise has a positive effect on the brain and some doctors now prescribe gym memberships and exercise for people suffering from depression, an approach supported by the Mental Health Foundation. Medicash's cash plans allow members to benefit from discounted gym membership so they can exercise at a manageable cost to their employer. Their plans also offer alternative therapies such as reflexology and acupuncture which are increasing in popularity and are thought to help relieve stress and improve mood.

It's a cliche but motivated quality staff really are your most valuable asset. The health and future success of your organisation depends on your people; look after them.

Medicash's Healthy Do's and Don'ts for employers

Do encourage a postive approach to health and provide employees with the means to be healthy

Don't allow a culture of recession related negativity - it won't help stress levels and morale

Do encourage a work/life balance amongst the workforce and promote the importance of taking 'me' and 'family' time

Don't set unachievable targets, employees are less likely to be motivated and more likely to find the pressure too hard to deal with and this approach could affect their health

Do operate an 'open door policy' for all employees so they know they are able to raise any worries or concerns they may have with their manager

Don't ignore absenteeism patterns, talk to employees about the reasons for being off work and discuss ways to help them

Do provide access to confidential stress counselling telephone helplines, there are free services available so make sure employees know where to get help from if they need it

Don't assume healthcare is only affordable for senior staff, comprehensive healthcare cash plans can be provided for the entire workforce without it being prohibitively expensive

Do look out for employees who may be risking their health as a result of alcohol or drug abuse