Business in the Community launches ‘healthier workplace’ toolkit

Business in the Community (BITC), in association with Public Health England (PHE), has launched a new physical activity, healthy eating and healthier weight toolkit for employers.

According to BITC one in four women and one in five men in England are defined as inactive, doing less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.

The company said that a lack of physical activity and poor eating habits leads to an unhealthy workforce and around a third of adults in England are damaging their health through a lack of physical activity.

Justin Varney, national lead for adult health and wellbeing at PHE, said: “A vibrant business needs a healthy workforce. What we eat and how active we are has a profound effect on how we feel and perform.

“This toolkit responds to employers requests for advice on how to keep their teams active, eating well, and to create a workplace environment that encourages healthier living.”

Louise Aston, BITC director, said: “Employers have a duty of care in supporting the health and well-being of their people. A healthy workplace environment, management support and the provision of attractive, healthy choices, conducive to physical activity, healthier eating and weight management should be integrated into well-being programmes that take a whole person approach.”