Nearly 25 per cent of employers do not offer any male-specific health support in the workplace, despite as many as 81 per cent believing that not doing so, risks losing their best talents according to Peppy.
According to new research from Peppy, working-age men are 32 per cent less likely than women to visit a doctor and significant issues typically linger untreated for extended periods of time.
Despite proposals for a government-led Men’s Health Strategy to address these and other gender inequities in healthcare, Peppy argues that companies do not need to wait for this to make a difference in the holistic health of male employees and those who were born male.
When asked how important it is to provide male-specific health support from a retention standpoint, half of the companies believe it is critical to provide men’s health support to reduce the risk of the few affecting the entire workforce, such as a team being harmed by a colleague taking time off or not being productive. Offering men’s health support is vital to decrease worker attrition, according to nearly 37 per cent of respondents.
Peppy director of men’s health Helen Lake says: “We would, of course, welcome a Men’s Health Strategy but in the meantime, employers do not need to live with the status quo. Resources are available for employers to improve the holistic health of the men within their organisations right now. We know that a gender-focussed approach is necessary and it’s not overstating things to say lives could be saved if employers step up to help men engage more in their own physical, mental and nutritional health and wellbeing.”
Peppy feels that providing comprehensive workplace health care geared at men is a major differentiator in terms of take-up. This is true for male-specific illnesses like prostate and testicular cancer, as well as nutrition, fitness, and mental health care, all of which require a unique approach and accessibility.
Men benefit from discreet, holistic health support delivered through the workplace since it makes receiving help more accessible and less of a burden for the individual says Peppy.
Employers who want to provide men’s health support in the workplace should think about the best way to do so, according to Peppy. Digital solutions, in particular, are often more inclusive, allowing men to have private talks.
Nearly 43 per cent of businesses believe that having one-on-one help from professional specialists is the most important aspect of providing men’s health care. Furthermore, almost 39 per cent of employers believe that pointing to reliable educational materials, reading, and websites is the second most crucial thing to do, given the male psyche and the demand for privacy.
Lake adds: “Men are more likely to bury their head in the sand when it comes to their health and wellbeing, so generic health messages can get ignored or overlooked. By supporting men’s health with dedicated and accessible support, employers are better able to raise awareness of specific illnesses such as male-specific cancers, heart disease or diabetes, as well as other more general health concerns including diet and exercise.
“Employers who support their male employees with a gender-focussed approach, increase the chance of their staff getting better outcomes and having a happier, healthier workforce.”
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