Public sector companies and agencies, which employ over 288,000 people, are being encouraged to make their workplaces healthier as part of a new initiative.

Employers throughout the public sector will be encouraged to develop healthy workplace policies aimed at getting their workers to be more active. Private companies are urged to get involved as well. Some already offer such initiatives and they will be encouraged to share their experiences.

"It's well established that a healthy workforce is a happier one with low levels of sick leave and greater productivity. So this approach makes pure business sense too for the public and private sectors. We are putting this on a statutory basis to send a clear message that we mean business in improving the nation's health," commented the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar.

The proposed Health and Wellbeing (Workplace Wellbeing) Bill, which was signed off at Cabinet recently, will require public service employers to develop a ‘healthy workplace' policy, which promotes the physical, mental and social wellbeing of their employees.

As each workplace is different, they will be able to decide which policies to pursue. Suggestions include:
-The promotion of ‘active travel', which encourages people to walk, cycle or to use public transport to get to work
-The establishment of walking, running or other exercise groups in the workplace
-More healthy eating options in staff canteens
-Smoking cessation programmes.

"Each public sector employer will develop a ‘Healthy Workplace' initiative. This has the potential to make a huge difference to the nation's health as more than 288,000 people work in the public sector, comprising 15% of the total Irish workforce. If we can persuade more of them to get healthy, then staff are likely to be happier, and less likely to need medical help," Minister Varadkar said.

He noted that according to the World Health Organization, workplace health programmes ‘are one of the best ways to prevent lifestyle diseases and improve mental health'.

"Any costs associated with the measure should be minimal and will be recouped many times over by the benefits of a healthier workforce," he added.