Banks including BNP Paribas and State Street Global Advisors embrace wellbeing services to improve employee health at work

At a time when the financial crisis is bringing increasing levels of stress to the work place and when peak performance is even more paramount, employee wellbeing is fast moving up the agenda, with banks starting to employ alternative strategies to ensure their staff remain healthy under the strain of the job.

energiseYou, a leading provider of employee wellbeing services to the UK’s corporate sector and voted in the top 20 of the Evening Standard and O2 Inspiration Awards, 2006, and the HSBC Start-Up Awards, 2007, already has banks such as HSBC (Canary Wharf), BNP Paribas, State Street Global Advisors, First Direct and foreign exchange services provider, First Rate, on its client list, as well as international law firms such as Norton Rose. energiseYou is also a partner in PruHealth’s Vitality programme.

Vicky Karatasas, human resources managing director, State Street Global Advisors, says:
“Banking is a fast moving and competitive sector.  We were looking for a creative solution to help reduce stress and improve the overall health and wellbeing of our workforce.  The service has made a positive impact on staff morale from day one”.

EnergiseYou aims to assist companies in combating some of the major workplace issues such as musculoskeletal disorders, stress, absenteeism, staff motivation and retention, and in creating an energised working environment, conducive to producing optimum levels of staff performance, and ultimately increased profits for the business.

According to the Department of Health’s publication ‘Health, work and well-being – caring for our future’,
“every £1 spent on promoting health in the workplace could lead to a £2.50 saving for businesses” and “a saving of 34 per cent in absenteeism costs”.1  Add to that the Health and Safety Executive estimating that musculoskeletal disorders were responsible for 9.5 million lost working days in 2005/6, around 13.8 million working days lost in 2006/7 due to work-related stress, depression and anxiety, and that stress and back pain cost the British economy £3.7 billion and £5 billion per year respectively, the cost of poor employee health to a business is increasingly evident.2

Oliver Gray, managing director, energiseYou, says: “Our services focus on the prevention and treatment of major workplace issues which cost British business billions of pounds each year.  There is no doubt that a mentally and physically fit workforce will perform better and be more productive than one plagued by illness, and that employee retention can be greatly enhanced by committing to the welfare of one’s staff and creating an environment of staff appreciation.  We want to help our clients create an energised work environment with high productivity and performance.  In this way, employee wellbeing has a huge role to play in increasing a company’s profits, and a return on investment is assured.”

Display Screen Equipment workstation assessments – launching 6 October 2008
With workstation assessments a legal requirement, energiseYou provides a hassle-free solution to meet the regulations.  In addition to the assessment, energiseYou offers a pro-active approach by providing remedial and preventative assistance.  The assessment teaches staff the correct way to set up their seat, desk, screen, keyboard and mouse; the perfect posture; and simple stretches to ease tight muscles. Results include: improved posture; reduced back problems, shoulder tension and RSI; and increased energy levels. 

energiseYou Yoga – launching 1 October 2008
These one-hour Yoga classes, specially designed for the workplace, are aimed at energising employees both mentally and physically.  Benefits include: a toned, flexible and strong body; circulatory health; reduced stress levels; a clearer, focused mind which improves productivity; increased energy and vitality; an improved sense of wellbeing; improved posture; muscle relaxation and the reduction of tension built up by computer use.  The classes, which can take place in a meeting room or open space, also assist in creating a positive working environment, which can in turn improve employee retention.

energiseYou On-Site Chair Massage
This is a fully clothed non-invasive massage with no oils, designed specifically for the workplace, and takes place in the privacy of a quiet area or meeting room.  The massage takes place while seated in a specially designed chair and can be adapted for 10, 15, 20 or 30-minute sessions. The practitioner uses a system of acupressure points and Japanese massage techniques on the head, neck, shoulder, back, arms and hands directed at 60 specific stress points, leaving the employee energised. 

By treating and preventing musculoskeletal problems, shoulder tension, headaches, back pain and repetitive strain injuries, boosting the immune system and energy levels, improving circulation and reducing blood pressure and stress levels, sickness absence can be greatly reduced.  Massage increases productivity by improving focus, enhancing creative thinking and improving problem solving, while staff retention can reduce recruitment costs through an enhanced positive working environment.