There are all sorts of health problems that can impact your employees. As an employer, you want your team to be as well as possible – not only because you care about them as people, but because it helps them stay productive. As an employee, we have a responsibility to ourselves to stay well, it is how we will live a contented life. However, we also need to maintain our health so we can earn a living.
Here is our guide to the most common health issues employees might face. We also explore ways of resolving and preventing such conditions.
Problems with our Digestive System.
The stress of modern living causes most problems with our digestive system. We sit down a lot more of the day and increases in stress puts a lot of pressure on our gut. A common disorder that can cause a significant impact on our lives is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS can cause bloating, gas, cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation. In short, it makes it challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
As much of our work requires us to sit down, this lifestyle also increases our chances of getting colon cancer. Office workers are said to have a 44% greater chance of getting the disease. Eating leafy green vegetable is an excellent way to help your gut.
The prevention of such conditions is counter to much of our culture of work currently. We need to obviously work hard to improve our diet, avoiding problem foods and drinks such as alcohol, caffeine and fatty foods. However, we also need to exercise more and work less frantically. Employers are starting to realise that there is more to be gained from quality of work time over quantity. If employees are given time to balance their work-life balance, then they are healthier and more productive when at work.
The strain on our body.
Our seated position and our repetitive actions also have an impact on our muscles, joints and nerves. An example of a health issue faced by many is Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This is a result of working on a computer for extended periods. It is a pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, which results in numbness, tingling, weakness and more. If you want to overcome the discomfort of CTS, you will need a wrist brace and physiotherapy. As an employer, you can help your employees avoid such issues by offering the correct ergonomic equipment.
Another strain on our body from sitting is lower back pain. We tend to slump in our seats and always sitting causes pressure on our joints and muscles. Back pain causes a high cost to the economy and to the lifestyle of the employee. The cure is often physiotherapy and acupuncture mixed with painkillers. However, workplaces should have the appropriate chairs and standing desks to encourage a proper posture. If employees are able to alternate between sitting and standing, the back pain issue is greatly reduced. In addition to this, employees should also wear supportive shoe insoles that will ensure a proper posture while standing.
The strain on our body can result in headaches too. Work on a computer can cause eyestrain and from there headaches and even migraines for some. It also produces a sore neck, which can equally spread into the lower part of our head. Time away from the screen is an obvious way to counter this, as well as a screen filter and a chance to look into the distance when we can.
A strain on our mental wellbeing.
Much of the stress of our current life has a dramatic impact on our mental wellbeing. Burnout is a significant problem for employers and employees. However, so is anxiety and depression. It might not be that there is a bigger problem now than there used to be. It might just be that we are more willing to acknowledge that we struggle with the strains of life and need help.
The answer for our mental wellbeing matches much of the advice about our physical wellbeing. You need to balance your work and your life. You need to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet. It is a matter of taking care of yourself and remembering your body needs the right fuel and the recuperation.
Infections.
The germs about the workplace are another significant problem. We are all open to viruses and bacteria from the keyboards to the mouse, to the work surfaces in the cafeteria. An employer is responsible for keeping the workplace clean, and the employee should hand sanitise carefully.
