NICE Promotes Physical Exercise To Business

The benefits to business associated with encouraging employees to take more exercise have been outlined this week by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

NICE estimates that "physical inactivity" costs the UK economy some £8bn a year in the form of treatment for illnesses related to a lack of exercise and sickness absence from work.

Speaking at the launch of new NICE guidance for employers on the issue, Institute public health director Peter Littlejohns said that measures to promote exercise could result in "financial benefits" for businesses.

"Working people spend an estimated 60 per cent of their waking hours at work, and many employers do already recognise their responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their employees," Mr Littlejohns said. "As well as benefiting staff, a healthy workforce can result in financial benefits for employers, including increased productivity, less sickness absence and greater staff retention."

Among the recommendations set out in the NICE guidance are the provision of subsidised gym membership for employees and measures to encourage workers to walk or cycle to work and to use stairs rather than lifts. The Institute said that the guidance would be helpful to businesses of all sizes, and could be tailored to suit all kinds of industries.

Source: Croner's

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