Employee Wellness Research 2016: Why a healthy workplace is key and employers must do more

Employers have realised the importance of workplace design to support the promotion of employee wellbeing with more than three-quarters (76.1%) having made changes to encourage healthier employee behaviour, according to research conducted by the Reward & Employee Benefits Association (REBA) in conjunction with Punter Southall Health & Protection.

The REBA/Punter Southall Health & Protection Employee Wellness Research 2016 showed that nutrition was a big focus for employers. More than a third (34.9%) had added healthier options to the canteen menu with more than a quarter (29%) having improved the availability of fresh water. 18.5% had revamped their on-site vending machine offer to include healthier options and 13.8% had extended the health focus to catering for meetings too.

Keeping fit and healthy

The ability for employees to keep fit and healthy onsite was also popular for some. Nearly one in five (19.3%) have introduced on-site relaxation or recreation areas and more than one in ten (13.4%) have introduced an on-site gym or fitness areas.

Debi O’Donovan, director of REBA, said the figures were encouraging but that organisations could still do more. “Although employers are trying hard, and simple changes such as adding decaf options to a drinks vending machine can work wonders, our research also showed that nearly a quarter (23.9%) had made no change to the work environment whatsoever. If businesses really do want to promote wellness in the workplace the work environment has to be the first starting point.”

Download a free copy of the 36 page, in-depth REBA/Punter Southall Health & Protection Employee Wellness Research 2016