
Should employers be responsible for an employee’s physical health?
I accept this independent not-for-profit organisation is somehow trying to make a vague-but-valid point, but I’m not convinced the responsibility for tackling obesity lies with the boss.We have laws against discrimination in the workplace and I accept that people can feel self-conscious or suffer from a poor self-image.I’m sure the same can be said of many aspects of life. I’ve previously mentioned in this column the crazy situation in China where the Communist Party reintroduced mandatory exercise sessions twice a day in state-owned companies.
China says employers must crack down on employee obesity, are they right to do so?
Meanwhile, another company is enforcing a 10,000-step daily target. Those who fail must perform punishment push-ups. The IES argues that almost seven out of 10 men and six out of 10 women in the UK are affected by obesity and it insists it’s not all about salad-dodging – but that “socio-economic” factors are playing an increasing influence.– Granted, more people are leading sedentary lifestyles, stuck at a desk all day.There’s also been a huge expansion in the ‘takeaway culture’ while more of us are gawping at the telly or glued to a computer screen.
What can UK SMEs do?
Here at Pimlico, I run a subsidised staff canteen, which has a host of healthy eating options (as well as cracking bacon sarnies) and then there’s our state-of-the art gym and various exercise sessions, including circuit training.I have made these facilities available to my people and would always encourage them to improve both their physical and mental wellbeing, for a happy worker is a productive worker.
UK employers can care about employee wellbeing – but they mustn’t get too involved
But I’m not going to order them to exercise, it’s un-British and I would be pilloried across the land for such a hard-line attitude. In addition, most small business owners don’t have the facilities or the spare cash to spark a fitness craze amongst their workforce. The best they can do is ensure people take their agreed breaks and if they do have a vending machine, replace the meat pies and sausage rolls with healthier options. People must also take responsibility for themselves and their health. Otherwise, if IES gets its way, the tape measure might have to come out!Share this story