Do you want to reduce absence, employee turnover and legal risk, and at the same time increase performance, employee engagement and productivity?

With 1 million people reporting sick each week, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has estimated that 175 million working days were lost last year to sickness absence, at a cost to the economy of £12.2 billion.

The good news is whatever your industry, size of business or location, there are things you can do for the health and wellbeing of your employees. Benefits of a healthy workplace include:

• Improved productivity and performance
• Reduced absenteeism and other costs associated with ill health
• Fewer injuries, accidents, and insurance and compensation claims
• Improved employee morale and staff retention
• Employees more receptive to and better able to cope with change
• Enhanced business reputation and corporate responsibility

Employers have a lot to gain by investing in a healthier workforce - it makes good business sense.

• |What are the benefits to business?
• |How can my business get involved?

|Elmbridge Business Network has teamed up with Elmbridge Borough Council and |NHS Surrey to give employers information on how to create a healthier workplace under each of the following key areas:

• |Alcohol and drugs
• |Healthy eating
• |Mental well-being and |stress
• |Physical activity and |alternatives to driving
• |Smoking
• |Display screen equipment
• |Disability
• |Fitness to drive
• |Health and safety at work
• |Accident prevention in the workplace
• |Health services
• |Swine influenza
• |Seasonal flu

You can also use the |online business self-assessment tool, a single point for accessing information on the regulatory areas of environmental health, food safety, health and safety, infectious diseases, trading standards, licensing and public health.

If you have any comments or questions about these webpages, please contact the |Community Planning and Engagement Manager.