Obesity
Employee obesity has been in the spotlight since the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision in FOA, acting on behalf of Karsten Kaltoft v Billund Kommune in late 2014. In the case, the ECJ held that it is possible for obesity to constitute a disability under discrimination laws.
It did not take long for the UK courts and tribunals to apply this ruling. In early 2015, a Northern Ireland tribunal in Bickerstaff v Butcher upheld an individual's complaint of harassment after comments were made at work about his weight.
Why placing people in groups based on risk goes against inclusivity
As employers prepare to return to work, many are considering certain groups of employees based on their risk factors. But...
More than a quarter eating less healthily during lockdown
More than a quarter of people say they have been eating less healthily during the weeks of lockdown, with stress,...
How should vulnerable workers feature in return to work risk assessments?
BAME people and individuals with obesity are at greater risk from Covid-19. How can they be protected in the workplace?
Coronavirus: nearly nine in 10 fear for their health
Almost nine out of 10 (87%) employees fear for their health because of the Covid-19 outbreak, with many feeling isolated,...
Boom in diabetes diagnoses on the horizon, warns NHS and charity
Around 5.3 million people in the UK are expected to be living with diabetes by 2025, following a stark increase...
Employers ‘not providing facilities that enable physical activity’
Eight in 10 (84%) workers are failing to achieve the minimum amount of physical activity recommended by the NHS, while...
Just a quarter make lifestyle choices to cut cardiovascular disease risk
Only a quarter of UK adults make conscious decisions about their health and lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing...
Stressed staff turn to ‘unhealthy’ coping mechanisms over professional help
Many workers who feel stressed are turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol and “stress eating” rather than seeking...
Physical activity interventions need to be tailored to individual needs, report says
There is an opportunity for employers to support their staff to become more active, but they will need to tailor...
Third of adults face increased cancer risk because of their weight
One in three (29%) UK adults faces an increased risk of developing bowel, kidney, ovarian and liver case because they...
Encourage healthier habits among Generation Z, employers urged
Organisations need to be aware of the health challenges faced by younger employees and the impact this might have on...
Heart and circulatory disease deaths in under-75s on the increase
The number of people dying of heart and circulatory diseases before the age of 75 has risen for the first...
Shift work ‘increases coronary artery disease risk’
Shift work has a harmful effect on cardiovascular function, with the risk of developing coronary artery disease increasing the longer...
‘Dangerous complacency’ in support for young workers with long-term health conditions
Young workers with long-term health conditions in the UK are being offered less support than they would receive from healthcare...
Most staff comfortable discussing health concerns at work
Employees are becoming more open to talking about their health at work, research has suggested, with three-quarters of staff happy...
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