You and your team have worked hard on your business’s strategic plan and goals for growth. You’ve updated your vision, mission and values and are raring to go for the best year yet. All you need now is a dedicated, productive workforce to make it all happen. But with 1 in 2 Australians having at least 1 chronic health condition that poses significant health problems, this can be tricky.1 This is because an unhealthy workforce is a not a productive one.

Chronic conditions often come with the need for time off; absenteeism is estimated to cost the Australian economy is $7 billion each year.2 Presenteeism – where an employee’s performance is hindered due to attending work when they are ill or experiencing symptoms of their medical condition – is estimated to cost the economy $34.1 billion.3

Add these together and suddenly you are wondering if this can be the best year yet.

That’s where nutrition comes in.

Many chronic conditions are affected by our diet, including high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, mental conditions, dental caries and nutritional anaemias. Some can be helped with a change in diet, and others prevented from occurring in the first place. When it comes to prevention, we know that health promoting diets are indeed helpful in reducing disease risk. We also know through recent studies that in Australia, 38% of disease burden (the impact of living with illness and injury and dying prematurely) is preventable; and that diet is one of the top 3 modifiable risk factors when it comes to its prevention.4 Dietary risks associated with disease burden include high intakes of salt and processed meat and low intakes of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and legumes. Data from the last financial year showed that only 8.7% of Australian adults met the recommendations for vegetable consumption, and even less, at 6.1%, met the recommendations for both fruit and vegetable consumption.5 With so few adults meeting basic core food group targets, it is clear that our workforce is likely to suffer from sub-optimal nutrition. This, in turn, lends itself to a less productive workplace.

A well-informed workplace with a health-promoting environment is key for a productive workforce.

What is a health-promoting environment?

A health-promoting environment is one that helps to make the healthy choice the easy choice. By removing barriers to healthy behaviours, people are encouraged to make the choices that are right for them. In these places, it is easier to, for example, drink water than soft drink.

An example that has existed in workplaces for years now is having a non-smoking building. It is easier to avoid smoking at work when you can’t light up at your desk. While people are still free to go outside and do this, there is now an extra step involved in participating in this behaviour. There is still a choice to be made by the individual, but the healthier one (especially in winter!) is now easier.

A health-promoting environment is also one where people feel supported in their health needs.

This can involve supporting people to build personal skills for their own physical and mental health; fostering health-promoting policies; and enhancing social and emotional wellbeing.

How can I make a health-promoting environment in my workplace?

There are many ways to influence the healthiness of a workplace. Here are some nutrition-related ideas:

  • Keep drinks (besides water) in an opaque box in the fridge and chilled water in a clearly visible spot
  • Have different themes for catered meetings to encourage dietary variety
  • Place a fruit bowl on the staff room bench and the biscuit tin or lolly jar in the cupboard – we are not looking to take away choice!
  • Encourage staff to take a lunch break away from their desks by offering a dedicated break-out space for meals that has adequate facilities (e.g., a fridge, sandwich press, microwave)
  • Offer workplace programs that support an individual to get tailored help for their chronic condition e.g., Employee Nutrition Program
  • Organise a nutrition presentation that is relevant to your employees’ needs

Inspired by these ideas or want to learn more? The Healthy Eating Clinic can help you achieve a healthier workplace and reap the benefits. Our Corporate Nutrition programs offer a wide variety of options for turning your workplace into one that supports the health and wellbeing of their employees, leading to benefits such as increased productivity and morale and decreased absenteeism. Reach out to discuss your needs today.

Learn more about our corporate nutrition services

References:

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Health Conditions Prevalence [Internet]. Canberra: ABS; 2020-21 [cited 2022 December 7]. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/health-conditions-prevalence/2020-21.
  2. Health Services Australia. Managing Absenteeism Report 2002, as cited in Medibank Private The Health of Australia’s Workforce. Australia: Medibank Private; 2005.
  3. Economic Modelling of the Cost of Presenteeism in Australia: 2011 Update. Report prepared for Medibank Private; 2011.
  4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australian Burden of Disease Study 2018: Interactive data on risk factor burden [Internet]. Australia: AIHW; 2021 [cited 2022 December 7]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/burden-of-disease/abds-2018-interactive-data-risk-factors/contents/summary.
  5. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Dietary behaviour [Internet]. Canberra: ABS; 2020-21 [cited 2022 December 7]. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/dietary-behaviour/2020-21.