8 in 10 office workers believe working long hours prevents them from keeping fit and healthy

A survey of 1,354 office workers in the United Kingdom by Peninsula the employment law consultancy has shown that 82% of office workers believe that their job limits their ability to exercise.

82% of office workers believe that working long hours prevents them from keeping fit and healthy

Based on a polled survey of 1,354 office workers from a variety of industries across the United Kingdom

Peter Done, Managing Director of Peninsula provides quote and comment

The issue of workers believing that their job has a detrimental effect on their ability to remain fit and healthy is a serious one, and it leads us to question whether employers are fully carrying out and enacting the duty of care which exists for their members of staff. Employers have a duty of care for their employees, and it is important that they follow any provisions and policies relating to the use of office furniture, occasional heavy and manual lifting and usage of display screen equipment for example. Fatigue plays a key roll as due to their daily routine office workers simply feet too fatigued to exercise upon leaving the workplace. If an employer is found to be not following this duty of care, then litigation can be brought against them, bosses simply must be aware.

This survey also highlights the general trend that we are seeing throughout the United Kingdom. Personal health and fitness is becoming an increasing concern for UK citizens, and of course office workers are no exception. More and more people now regularly visit the gym and exercise on a frequent basis; however it is clear that the current business environment is limiting workersí ability to do so. A modern business simply does not stop at 5pm and begin again at 9am; they are on a constantly evolving 24 hour cycle. And because of this nature, employees are working longer and longer hours, with more time spent in the office than away from it. This therefore takes up the time of day members of staff would otherwise use to exercise.

Due to the fact that workers cannot get away from the office to exercise, they believe their health is compromised by their employment. Employers simply need to be aware of this growing issue in the modern business environment, whilst also ensuring they carry out the duty of care they must have for their employees. Bosses might be advised to look into obtaining discounted membership of local gyms for their employees, therefore making it easier for them to get into a routine of keeping fit around their working practices.