Supporting Men’s Health in the Workplace
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Discover how you can build a workplace that actively supports men’s health and wellbeing.
Men’s health: Why it matters more than ever
In the UK, men spend on average over a fifth of their lives in poor health, often because of preventable conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Also, their life expectancy is nearly four years shorter than women’s and they are significantly more likely to die by suicide, with the latest statistics indicating that 74% of all suicides in the UK involve men. They also face unique health challenges like testicular and prostate cancers, contributing to cancer being one of the leading causes of death among men in the UK. It is also known that men are often reluctant to visit a healthcare professional when they feel unwell, undertake regular health check-ups, or access support services because of gender stereotypes, cultural expectations, and stigma. This, combined with a higher propensity to smoke, drink and use drugs, contributes to a crisis in men’s health that not only affects the quality of life of individual men, but also has a profound impact on their families, communities and workplaces.
Addressing societal norms and early intervention is the key to improving health outcomes and employers have a unique opportunity to drive change and support the wellbeing of their male employees. Promoting and investing in men’s health isn’t just the right thing to do – it makes business sense as well. Better men’s health outcomes can translate to increased engagement, lower absenteeism, greater productivity and higher staff retention.
Actions employers can take to support men’s health in the workplace
• Encourage open conversations to help break down stigma
The stigma surrounding men’s health issues often prevents individuals from seeking help or even speaking about their struggles. One of the most effective ways to combat stigma is through open conversations. Depending on the size of your organisation, you may want to nominate a Men’s Health Champion or a Wellbeing Officer, who could act as a first point of contact for employees and encourage informal conversations around men’s health and wellbeing. Their main role would be to help staff find the resources or support they might need and to direct them to relevant company policies and available support services. Another great way to break down barriers, lessen embarrassment, and encourage open dialogue is to get Senior Leaders and Line Managers to share their personal stories, experiences or health challenges. You could also invite a speaker from ANYDSMANCLUB to deliver a free onsite or online session on men’s mental health aiming to encourage men to speak up seek help when they need it.
• Create a Men’s Health Resource Hub
Provide access to online resources like apps, articles, podcasts, pre-recorded webinars, and self-help materials designed to raise awareness about different aspects of men’s health and available support. Ensure that your information hub includes links to reliable third-party sources. Examples include:
Apart from the online Men’s Health Resource Hub, you could also display posters and leaflets in places where employees are likely to pass by frequently, for instance in staff rooms, changing rooms, canteen or on notice boards around the workplace.
Organise company-wide educational sessions to raise awareness
Arrange an informal lunch and learn session for all staff, a men's health awareness stand, a companywide webinar, or a seminar with an expert who can cover a wide range of topics related to men's health and answer employees' questions. To make an even bigger impact, these awareness sessions could be organised around various national and global campaigns, such as Men’s Health Week, Movember, World Suicide Prevention Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, or Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Get in touch with us to book a Men's Health Webinar which covers the key facts about common health concerns and what health screening is available for men. We also offer Mental Health Awareness Webinar and Suicide Awareness Webinar that can help staff understand some of the most common mental health conditions and get confidence to support someone who is struggling.
Promote NHS health checks and screening programmes
Launch a workplace awareness campaign targeting men, encouraging them to take part in the NHS health checks and screening programmes if they are eligible.
Health checks and screenings currently offered in England:
The NHS Health Check is a check-up for all adults aged 40-74 who do not have any pre-existing conditions. It is offered every five years and can help to determine whether someone is at a higher risk of developing certain health problems such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney disease, or heart disease.
Bowel Cancer Screening - a test offered for those aged 50 to 74 every two years. It involves a home test (FIT kit) that checks for signs of bowel cancer.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is offered to all men over the age of 64 to check if there are any swellings (aneurysms) in the main blood vessel in the aorta.
Find out more about screening programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Offer health & wellbeing benefits
Support your staff both inside and outside the workplace by offering a range of health and wellbeing employee benefits. Access to mental health services, regular health screenings, diagnostic testing, or ongoing treatment and care, can help your male employees to prioritise and improve their long-term health.
Some of the examples include:
• Virtual GP Service
• Onsite health checks
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Dedicated Counselling Sessions
• Private Health Insurance
• Dental Plans
• Corporate Fitness & Gym Schemes
• Free eye tests/eye care vouchers
• Flu vaccinations
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Wellbeing apps
Need help with implementing some of these employee benefits? Get in touch with us today – we can visit your workplace to deliver Employee Health Checks which range from essential checks, such as blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and urinalysis, to advanced blood panels, including PSA testing. We also offer flu vaccinations via onsite flu clinics and flu vouchers – the bookings for the upcoming flu season are now open. Also, through our partner services, we can provide an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), offer eyecare vouchers, and arrange both telephone and face-to-face counselling sessions.
• Get advice from Occupational Health
If your employee has a long-term condition, is experiencing poor mental health, suffering from MSK issues, or going through cancer treatment, ensure that they are effectively supported at work. As there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, you should refer them to Occupational Health Services to receive an impartial, clinical advice based on the employee’s unique circumstances. Through our Management Referral service, Occupational Health Advisors can recommend supportive measures and adjustments and devise a suitable return to work plan if employee is on a long-term leave.
Addressing men’s health in the workplace is a crucial aspect of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. By understanding the unique health challenges faced by male employees and implementing targeted strategies, you can make a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of your male workforce, ultimately leading to increased productivity, job satisfaction, reduced sickness absence and organizational success.
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