Health Screenings for Employees: Why They're Important

At a time when lots of companies are tightening their belts, it might be strange to learn that employers are choosing to offer routine health screening as an employee benefit.

Although health surveillance is a legal requirement in workplaces where it is likely that a disease or health effect may occur due to the nature of the work that takes place, general health screening is not. Most companies are not compelled by law to provide regular health screening for all their staff.

So, what is it that encourages employers to financially invest in this kind of benefit for their employees? If it is not a legal requirement, why spend money on it?

We believe that health screening is not only a morally good thing to do as a business owner, but it is something that will help your business flourish.

However, before we look at the reasons why health screenings are good for business, let us start with a brief overview of what a health screening is.

What are health screenings?

Health screenings are tests that help to identify potential health problems. They can be used to check for a range of conditions, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Screenings can be carried out by a GP or other healthcare professional, and usually involve a physical examination and/or blood test. They may also include lifestyle advice and guidance on how to reduce your risk of developing certain health conditions.

Health screenings can help identify risk factors for health problems, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. They can also provide an opportunity for employees to receive education about how to improve their health. Health screenings can be an important part of promoting a healthy workplace and improving the health of employees.

The benefits of health checks for employees

So, why are so many businesses investing in this kind of benefit for their employees? There are two main reasons.

1.     Reduce absence and improve productivity

Firstly, routine health screenings can play an important role in maintaining employee health and productivity in the workplace. By identifying potential health concerns early, employees can get the treatment they need to stay healthy and avoid absences that can impact work. In 2019/20, 32.5 million working days were lost due to work-related ill health in the UK alone. Health screening can help to identify wellness risks and address them before they result in more serious health problems. This can reduce the amount of time staff need off, and reduce the financial and human burden staff absence can place on a business.

In addition, employees who have access to routine health screenings are more likely to take advantage of preventive care measures that can keep them healthy and reduce their risk of developing chronic conditions. Ultimately, this can only help a business keep its productivity high, as fewer illnesses will mean fewer days off long-term.

2.     Retain staff

Secondly, health screening can work to help retain staff, particularly when combined with some form of private health care to support the outcomes of the screening. Employees feel that the company cares for them, and value the quick access to healthcare that private insurance grants them.

How to implement health screenings in the workplace

As an employer, you know that maintaining a healthy workforce is important to the success of your business. But you may not know how to go about implementing health screenings in the workplace.

Here are some tips for getting started:

1. Talk to your employees about why you’re considering health screenings and get their input on what type of screenings would be most helpful. Our health screening service comes with a core level of cover, but with the option to add bolt-ons to suit the individual needs of a workplace. Making sure that you have your staff’s input will ensure that more will be invested and engage with the benefit fully. This will ensure you have the best turnout possible and give you the best return on investment.
2. Work with an employee benefits provider to identify a screening program that meets the needs of your employees and your business.
3. Decide whether you would prefer the screenings to take place at your premises or offsite. This decision will be different for each company. If your team is remote, then providing them with a location closer to their home may encourage uptake, whereas if your staff are all local to your company’s premises, having a health practitioner come to you may be more cost-effective and convenient.
4. Inform your employees and provide them with a link to register their interest and book their appointment.
5. Provide your staff with the link to their employee health questionnaire before the screening takes place. Your scheme provider should provide you with this link. This will allow the health practitioners to collect as much information about your team’s health as possible.

The types of screenings that are available

There are many types of health screenings that are available to employees. Some of the most common screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar tests. These screenings can help to identify potential health problems early on so that they can be treated before they become serious.

Other less common screenings include tests for thyroid conditions, prostate disease and bowel cancer. These tests are usually only recommended for people who are at high risk for these conditions, such as those over 40, and can be added to your core plan if required.

How to support employees after health screening

After a health screening, employers should provide support to employees in various ways.

Employers should provide resources and information to employees so they can make informed decisions about their health. Most Health Screening services come with a helpline that allows staff to discuss the outcomes of their appointment. The helpline can direct employees to resources that may help.

But there are more practical approaches to supporting your team towards the best outcome possible. There is a range of employee benefits available that can help employees to get access to quick healthcare or take preventative measures to improve their overall health. These include:

1. Wellbeing Coaching - Help your employees make positive lifestyle changes through workshops that cover a range of topics.
2. Everyday Health Cash Plan - Provide financial assistance and help your employees spread the cost of everyday health essentials.
3. Private Health Insurance - Give your employees quick access to private health care when they need it.

Catch problems early before they impact your business

In conclusion, workplace health screenings are important for various reasons. Not only are they a good thing to do, which shows you care about your employees, but they can help catch health problems early before they become more serious and cause long-term employee absences. They can also help improve employee morale, as when combined with additional healthcare benefits, they can speed up your teams’ access to medical treatment and help them improve their overall health long-term.

Health screenings may be an optional investment for companies, but the benefits to overall health and productivity can be extensive.