Business
Supplements for staff should be used to ‘keep companies healthy’
Nutritional supplement maker Pharma Nord UK is calling for employees to supply vitamins to their workforce.
In Britain, it’s been suggested that workers fear taking time off, meaning more are turning up to work ill and potentially unable to work productively. This is according to the Office for National Statistics, which found that in 2017, the average employee took 4.1 days off due to sickness. This led to members of the public sector losing up to 3.3% of their working hours due to ill health.
However, Senior Nutritionist at Pharma Nord, Frankie Brogan,explains that this could be cut considerably if companies brought in the right nutritional approaches and procedures: “Companies are all for enhancing their colleagues’ well-being. Whether it’s providing free gym facilities or fruit bowls, looking after your workforce’s health can prove beneficial for their productivity and morale.
“Supplements are a good way to boost your team’s health and nutrition, which will in turn enhance their performance. By offering supplements to your colleagues, they will also benefit from the knowledge that you care for their well-being.”
Stress-related illnesses are at the forefront of the minds of many businesses. Well-being specialists, Forth, carried out a survey and discovered that 85% of adults in the UK are regularly experiencing some form of stress. There are many supplements that could help relieve stress levels. Many people who suffer from stress or anxiety have been found to be lacking in vitamin A. This is an antioxidant that can help manage anxiety symptoms.
Another supplement that might be considered in the workplace is magnesium. This can help muscle and nerve function and has been found to help with sleep pattern – vital for productivity levels. While many workforces have got on board with the offering of free tea and coffee facilities, why not include magnesium supplements into your well-being package and help to reduce fatigue in the workplace? This could help relieve the fact that over three-quarters of the workforce in the UK claims to be tired most weekdays.
Have you ever thought about the effect the weather has on your staff? For office-based workers, the winter season can have an adverse effect on how much vitamin D we receive. This is due to the lack of sunlight, which can then mean our immune system can falter due to us not receiving the required nutritional benefits from the vitamin. By taking a supplement, you can contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system, which can help to keep your workforce healthy. This has even been recommended by the UK government’s public health advice as a supplement that we should use as a ‘top up’.
“While supplements aren’t a ‘replacement’, they can be beneficial and provide nutritional goodness,” added Brogan.“They are a cost-effective way to support your immune system and enhance your overall well-being.”
Of course, the need for hydration is well-known. But, did you know that omega 7 is an excellent way to combat hydration? It helps to lubricate the mucous membranes and assists in preventing dry eyes.
Of course, simply having supplements available isn’t enough, but it’s potentially a way to work towards creating a healthier workplace. There are many other perks that companies might offer too, including flexible working and the opportunity to work remotely i.e. ways to help reduce stress levels and offer a better work-life balance, which, according to a YouGov survey, 20% of workers are currently dissatisfied with.
It’s good practice for companies to have a well-being plan in place to fully engage with their employees. Supplements may have previously gone under the radar as being one of the ‘top perks’ on offer, but they are an unusual – yet potentially significant – option to give your workforce a much-needed boost.
Sources:
https://www.forthwithlife.co.uk/blog/great-britain-and-stress/
https://takecareof.com/articles/best-vitamins-supplements-for-stress-and-anxiety
https://caspianmedia.com/workplace-wellbeing-productive-team/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36846894
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritioninthenews/new-reports/983-newvitamind.html
