HR professionals set healthy lifestyle example

A new survey has revealed HR professionals place in the top three of Britain's healthiest professions.

The survey of 3,000 workers by leading healthcare cash plan provider Medicash, revealed that those who work in HR exercise on average nearly three times a week, take less days off sick than the average employee, drink less alcohol, eat less junk food and are less likely to smoke than other professions.

The figures are in stark contrast to those for the hospitality industry, revealed as the unhealthiest profession. People working in this sector eat more junk food, smoke more cigarettes and drink more alcohol than any other profession.

Researchers revealed that chefs smoke an average of 58 cigarettes per week and eat 12 snacks of crisps, chocolate bars or biscuits each week.

HR professionals were pipped to the top spot in the survey by advertising executives who were revealed as the healthiest profession and teachers who were second healthiest.

Peter Lauris, sales & marketing director for Medicash, said: "Those working in HR know the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and the positive impact that this can have at work. HR professionals' position near the top of the survey reflects their awareness of this fact."

Researchers found that those working in construction were the most likely to hit the bottle quaffing, on average, more than ten alcoholic drinks per week which is more than double the amount consumed by those in research and development, health, nursing and social services.

When it comes to exercise lawyers were the only profession who lagged behind the average of twice per week.

Those working in electronics were the sportiest, claiming to exercise three times a week which is perhaps just as well given that they eat the highest number of takeaways per week and the highest number of snacks; tucking into more than two each day.

Insurance workers have the worst record of all professions when it comes to illness. They took more days off sick than any other profession and claimed to have felt unwell more than 11 times in the last year.

Travel, leisure and tourism professionals are the most likely to neglect their teeth claiming, on average, not to have paid a visit to the dentist for almost a year despite the fact that check ups are recommended every six months.

Cost is a major reason for dentist-avoidance with over 40% of accountants, teachers and legal professionals who hadn't been in the last six months claiming that they couldn't afford it.

Those working in the catering industry displayed an alarmingly laissez faire attitude to their general health with almost half of those surveyed saying that if they had a health concern they would be likely to ignore the symptoms and hope that they go away.

Peter Lauris, sales & marketing director for Medicash added: "HR professionals are often the champions for a healthy work/life balance within their organisation so to see them in the top three of healthiest professions is heartening. However the survey does suggest that not all professions manage the balance as well as the HR community and there are a number of professions where work has a negative impact on lifestyle. For those who work in a sector renowned for unsociable hours they must try to make a conscious effort to be healthy and invest in their health. Healthy people are more happy and productive."

TOP TEN UNHEALTHIEST PROFESSIONS

1. Chef
2. Farmer
3. Electrician
4. Insurance worker
5. Builder
6. Banker
7. Call Centre worker
8. Truck driver
9. Engineer
10. Travel agent

TOP TEN HEALTHIEST PROFESSIONS

1. Ad rep
2. Teacher
3. Human resources assistant
4. Accountant
5. Lawyer
6. Secretary
7. IT worker
8. Researcher
9. Nurse
10. Shop assistant