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.
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...
Health bodies join forces to promote healthier ageing
The Centre for Ageing Better and Public Health England have joined forces to work on health interventions that could help...
Thousands of young people have type 2 diabetes
Almost 7,000 people under 25 have type 2 diabetes, with thousands more expected to be diagnosed in the next few...
Sedentary workers who are active outside working hours still at risk
Many employees are wrongly perceiving that having an active lifestyle outside of the workplace negates the ill-effects associated with sedentary...
Toolkit launched to help health professionals promote physical activity
A toolkit that will help health professionals advise patients on how physical activity can help manage their conditions and aid...
Average adult feels breathless after ‘light to moderate’ exercise
The average adult feels breathless six times a week, often as a result of “light to moderate” exercise, a study...
Toolkit encourages employers to promote healthy eating and exercise
Business in the Community and Public Health England have published a toolkit to help employers encourage healthier eating and exercise...
Diabetes diagnoses have doubled in the last 20 years
The number of people diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled in the last 20 years to almost 3.7 million....
