Stress and health, the issue:
Stress is the consequent feelings and reactions when demands placed upon an individual are perceived to exceed their ability to adapt physically or psychologically to those demands.
During times of stress a series of chemical reactions take place within the body which enable us to deal with stress in the short term, but can have serious consequences in the long term.
Therefore, any treatment needs to address an individual’s complete psychological and physiological being. Treating one without the other is worthless.
Retreat2u are unique in promoting a holistic approach to well-being, with proven results.
Stress and health, the cost:
Our research indicates the cost of presenteeism is £3103.20 per employee, per annum. Absenteeism costs currently run at £689.60 per employee per annum. The average cost of staff turnover is £8200 per leaver*.
retreat2u's holistic approach addresses each of these costs, offering a complete, end to end, permanent solution, protecting your bottom line.
Stress and health, the rewards:
In addition to the tangible financial benefits, retreat2u's solutions bring many other positive changes. For individuals, these include:
- Increased energy levels
- Less sickness & fatigue
- Feel more valued by, and able to share concerns with their employer
- Increased motivation & positive thinking
- Less time off work
- Better time management
- Greater confidence & self-worth
- Improved focus & concentration
- More comfort within autonomy & improved teamwork
- Increased ability to cope with higher demands
- Improved physical fitness/posture
- Reduced incidence of repetitive strain injury (RSI)
For businesses:
- Reduced lost productive time from absence & presenteeism
- Increased individual and team effectiveness
- Improved staff retention
- Recognition as an employer of choice
- Compliance with HSE and EU Guidelines
- Supports accreditation from professional bodies such as Investors in People
- Protection from future litigation
- Increased motivation & productivity from energised & engaged employees
- More effective teamworking
- An atmosphere of openness & honesty regarding health & stress
- Better understanding of the causes of stress within their own organisation
Stress and Health, the facts:
Many organisations have a presenteeism culture in which individuals feel that they need to be seen to work long hours (Hanover Executive Ltd). However, staff who were unwell but took no absence at all from work had double the incidence of coronary heart disease over the following years (UCL 10 year study of 10,000 workers).
In 2003/04, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that 38.6 million working days were lost due to workplace injury and work-related ill health. This would be equal to 22.2 days off sick, for every person off work sick.
The Department of Trade and Industry stated in July 2005 that work-related stress was costing British business £3.7 billion annually. The 2004/5 HSE Labour Force survey reinforces this, revealing that stress and musculoskeletal disorders combined account for 70% of all work-related illness.
20% of working age people suffer from chronic pain. Pain is a strong driver of absence behaviour, second only to the common cold as a cause of time off work. Over the past 12 months, approximately £1.4billion were lost to days absent due to chronic pain. This figure rises to £5.1billion when 'reduced-effectiveness workdays', also called 'presenteeism', is factored in (Dr. David Harris).
Health-related Lost Productive Time (presenteeism) costs are substantial, but largely invisible to employers. Britain has the lowest productivity levels in Europe and the second lowest in the world. The estimated cost of poor UK productivity in 2005 is £70bn. UK companies ‘lose' the equivalent of 36 days per worker, per year (Proudfoot Consulting Productivity Survey).
Around 40% of employees thought that the risk of stress in the workplace could be realistically reduced and less than a third said that their employers had taken preventative action to reduce stress levels in the workplace (HSE).
Sixty-eight percent of HR professionals said presenteeism decreases productivity (The 2005 Workplace Productivity Survey). Recent research also suggests that one third of UK managers would change jobs if they felt they could improve their work life balance (Hanover Executive Ltd).
Absence from work costs British businesses nearly £13 billion per annum. This figure represents £689 per worker (CIPD).
The majority of visits to a physiotherapist or chiropractor are for preventable conditions brought on by bad posture, an inactive lifestyle and excessive time spent seated.
HSE Labour Force Survey in 2004/05
Stress and Mental Health in the Workplace - Mind week report May 2005
Stress and Well-being 2006 - Report on New Research into Knowledge of Stress and Attitudes Towards It in the UK
* Sources: CIPD, Proudfoot Consulting, ONS
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