Healthy Eating - Benefits of Healthy Eating in the Workplace for Employees
Employees will consume at least one-third of their daily calories during hours spent at work.
In the UK, under the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 all employers have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. There are specific regulations regarding the provision of clean drinking water and eating facilities, but there is no legal duty for employers to provide food or to provide healthy choices.
Research by the British Dietetic Association found that:-
- During their working life, the average British worker spends a total of over £20,000 (around £2 a day) on a snack food, excluding their lunchtime or breakfast meals.
- One third of all workers skip breakfast.
- 44% of employees eat lunch at their desks.
The workplace clearly has a role to play in supporting people to make healthier choices. Improving access to healthier food and drinks at work could be an important first step in supporting individuals to consume a well-balanced diet.
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An employee’s health can be influenced in a number of different ways.
- An individual’s own beliefs, perceptions and actions which can be influenced at work by awareness raising campaigns highlighting the benefits of healthier lifestyle choices.
- The physical environment in which the workplace can create a supportive environment for people who are trying to change their eating habits and introduce healthier lifestyle choices.
- The social environment in which workplace culture will influence an individual’s behaviour, and a workplace that fosters a strong, healthy lifestyle culture will support and respect individual’s choices.
For a more detailed look at this topic refer to the Promoting Health Eating at Work publication.
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