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Network Journal 2008 Issue 1 Jan/Feb |
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Don’t moralise on lifestyle issues – TUC
The Government’s work and health supremo, Dame Carol Black, has been calling for evidence on the links between work and health.
In its response, the TUC says that employers' attempts to encourage healthy living are most effective when they look at how work can contribute to or cause lifestyle problems.
But the TUC also warns against employers moralising over lifestyle issues, which could backfire.
Choices
The TUC argues that there is a difference between an employer who is keen to introduce choices and working methods that will help staff who want to control their weight, and the employer who wants to force anyone who they consider overweight to change their eating habits.
Although healthy food in staff canteens, subsidised gym membership or access to counselling for those with drug or alcohol problems are to be encouraged, the TUC says that lunchtime yoga classes are no substitute for reducing stress in the workplace.
Benefit
And while access to fresh fruit is a good thing, it won't be of much use to employees who never get to take a lunch break, nor will gym access be a benefit to those who work late night after night.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The workplace can, like any other environment, be a useful place to encourage people to make healthy choices, but it must be done in a non-judgmental way.
Jobs
"Employers should be creating opportunities so that staff can make healthier choices should they so chose, rather than try to force them to adopt a particular lifestyle that has no bearing on how they do their jobs."
To see the TUC submission in full go to: www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s
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