Royal Mail group launches health and lifestyle assessment services for its people

Royal Mail Group today underlined its commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of its people through two new initiatives that will give them easy access to healthy lifestyle assessment and coaching services.

An online health checking and assessment service is being launched to enable the 180,000 people working for Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide and Post Office Ltd to analyse their health and lifestyles and put in place improvement plans by accessing information on a range of areas, from nutrition to stress and exercise.

And the business is recruiting of a team of Health Trainers throughout the UK who will help fellow workers to improve their health through advice and practical support. Its work with the Department of Health in developing the Health Trainer scheme in the workplace leads the way for the implementation of Health Trainers by other UK businesses.

Royal Mail Group has been addressing the biological, social and psychological causes of absence and has introduced health and wellbeing policies on an unprecedented scale. Absenteeism at Royal Mail Group has fallen from seven per cent to five per cent in the past three years.

Initiatives have included:
• A group wide programme to reduce non-attendance and sickness absence focusing on management training and HR support
• Improving access and broadening occupational health support services to include physio and occupational therapy
• Communication and awareness raising programmes health promotion materials targeting smoking and back pain.

Royal Mail Group today underlined its commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of its people through two new initiatives that will give them easy access to healthy lifestyle assessment and coaching services.

An online health checking and assessment service is being launched to enable the 180,000 people working for Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide and Post Office Ltd to analyse their health and lifestyles and put in place improvement plans by accessing information on a range of areas, from nutrition to stress and exercise.

And the business is recruiting of a team of Health Trainers throughout the UK who will help fellow workers to improve their health through advice and practical support. Its work with the Department of Health in developing the Health Trainer scheme in the workplace leads the way for the implementation of Health Trainers by other UK businesses.

Royal Mail Group has been addressing the biological, social and psychological causes of absence and has introduced health and wellbeing policies on an unprecedented scale. Absenteeism at Royal Mail Group has fallen from seven per cent to five per cent in the past three years.

Initiatives have included:
• A group wide programme to reduce non-attendance and sickness absence focusing on management training and HR support
• Improving access and broadening occupational health support services to include physio and occupational therapy
• Communication and awareness raising programmes health promotion materials targeting smoking and back pain

With absence costing the UK economy an estimated GBP 13.4 billion a year, Royal Mail Group’s success provides valuable insight and a blueprint for effectively tackling this challenging and costly issue. Royal Mail Group is working closely with Government, stakeholders, customers and other employers to share the benefits of its experience.

Dr Steve Boorman, Director of Corporate Responsibility, said: “Investing in the health and wellbeing of our people has been crucial in helping respond to the challenges of the modern marketplace. Our unique approach has not only helped cut costs, but also improved productivity and increased employee morale.