Organisations as diverse as leading insurance specialists Lloyds of London and Kings College Hospital in South London, have signed up to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s, London Healthy Workplace Charter in an effort to improve employees health and happiness.
Almost 14 million working days a year are lost to sickness absence in London. Research has shown that an average London firm of 250 employees can lose up to £250,000 a year, or £4,800 per week, due to sickness absence. Physically active workers take 27 per cent fewer sick days than non-physically active counterparts. Improving health and wellbeing of staff not only saves money by reducing levels of absence, but can also boost economic output.
Launched in 2012, the Mayor’s London Healthy Workplace Charter is a voluntary scheme which encourages employers to invest in the well-being of their staff by supporting them to become more active and take healthier life choices. Participating organisations have offered incentives such as subsidised gym membership, interest-free loans for bicycles and free fruit at work, as well as setting up stop smoking groups and developing alcohol and mental health policies.
Oil and gas giant Shell, worldwide leaders in customer experience managementSitel, and HM Revenue & Customs, are among the businesses that will pick up awards for their work. They will be joined by range of other organisations including Barts Health Trust, Kingston Voluntary Action and six London boroughs.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “It’s fantastic to see a range of organisations signing up to London’s Healthy Workplace Charter, from global blue-chip firms to one of the capital’s major teaching hospitals. Whatever the size and type, London businesses are increasingly recognising that investing in staff health and wellbeing can benefit the bottom line.”
