Food manufacturers helping employees become healthier

News Article - 27 May 2010
Category: Business

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) recently launched a report that shows how food manufacturers are encouraging employees to become healthier and fitter through in-house development schemes. Entitled 'Workplace Wellbeing: Industry in Action,' the report was launched at Business in the Community's Health and Work Summit on May 11^th.

At the summit, Mars MD and FDF chairperson Fiona Dawson spoke about her company's 'Winning with Wellness' programme, which includes advice on diet and nutrition, stress management, smoking cessation and other key health topics. Week long events at Mars sites around the country promote the programme, and include free BMI, cholesterol and glucose checks. It also offers special rates on stress awareness days, corporate gym memberships and exercise classes including salsa dancing and circuit training.

The benefits of providing similar schemes are significant, including productivity improvements. Poor diets and inadequate exercise have been clinically shown to reduce concentration and productivity throughout the day. In addition, employers that have a strong reputation as a positive and caring employer will be more able to recruit and retain key talent. Decreased absenteeism and increased employee engagement are two further benefits that stem from health development programmes.

Other companies featured in the FDF report include Tate & Lyle and Cadbury, both of which have in-house development programmes focused on nutrition and health improvement. The Health and Work Summit is an annual one-day event that helps employers find practical solutions for building employer wellbeing to maximise efficiency and productivity. Current estimates suggest UK employers lose £15.1 billion a year through reduced productivity at work.

Access supports positive efforts to improve employee engagement and health to both enhance employee satisfaction and increase productivity to achieve key business goals. Improving and boosting the employee-employer relationship requires a strong HR function that has the resources necessary to interpret individual staff needs and channel these into effective employee development programmes.

Access HR software comes with key features to help facilitate learning and development. Self-service tools allow staff to access training information personally, and offer constructive feedback on the most agreeable course of action with regard to key skills training.

For more information, please call access on 0845 345 3300.

Article keywords:

---

More industry news

• Think tank warns UK may have already slipped back into recession
• Growing demand for HR staff in technology and international sectors
• Boosting business growth a ‘priority’ to avoid Eurozone slowdown
• HMRC launches alternative disputes pilot scheme this week
• December employment statistics disregard gloomy recruitment predictions
• Eurozone manufacturing PMI shows modest improvement
• UK scores highly for economic governance by ratings agency
• Government launches two-year project focusing on manufacturing sector
• Burden of regulation on UK businesses ‘too high’

Back to news home page »