Why should small and medium sized enterprises (SME's) bother with a health and wellbeing strategy?

In February 2008, PriceWaterhouseCooper[1] released their report which was commissioned by the Health and Wellbeing Executive, which undertook to investigate the business case for workplace wellness programmes in the UK including economic factors, and to provide a framework for implementing and managing such a programme.

There are several clear demographic, societal and economic factors that would suggest it to be advantageous to implement a workplace wellness programme, including

• An increase in the workforce age and a change in its composition, leading to the expectation of employees of wellness programmes and work-life balance initiatives
• The rising cost and incidence of chronic disease and ill-health
• External pressures such as corporate social responsibility and competition