Bupa has said that employers can go a long way towards helping workers to be healthier in their office space in London and the rest of the UK.
Making healthy choices in the canteen and educating employees on the importance of a healthy lifestyle are some of the suggestions put forward by the company.
Dr Peter Mace, assistant medical director, said: “If they don’t have a canteen, perhaps they could provide some fruit within the work environment, perhaps at a minimum or small cost or vouchers, which would then allow people to make healthy choices.”
Further suggestions included facilitating a stop smoking group and emphasising the importance of not drinking too much in the workplace.
His advice follows research by the company, which showed that encouraging workers to lead healthier lifestyles could save employers around £3 billion a year.
The report predicts that this amount could be saved by 2025 and much of the saving would come from people stopping smoking and a reduction is alcohol misuse.