Irish employers could reduce absenteeism and increase productivity among their workforce by promoting the importance of physical activity in the workplace.

Absenteeism in Ireland currently costs businesses around €1.5 billion per year - that is €818 per employee.

However according to the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF), promoting a healthy workplace could save employers money by reducing unplanned days of absence. In fact, it has the potential to reduce sick days by up to 27%.

In an attempt to support this, the IHF has launched the Active @ Work Award, which will acknowledge innovative approaches by companies to boost the health of its employees.

Commenting on the award, IHF chief executive, Barry Dempsey, noted that workplaces ‘are key to reaching many non-active adults'. However, even among adults who are active at other times, jobs that require people to sit for long periods are considered a risk factor for heart disease.

"But where is the motivation for the employer to engage in health promotion? The answer is increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. Physically active employees are more productive and the likelihood of workplace injuries is reduced by up to 25%. By investing in health promotion programmes in the workplace, companies can earn a significant return on investment of up to €2.58 for every 76 cents spent," Mr Dempsey explained.

He pointed out that regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week, helps to prevent and better manage over 20 conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

The Active @ Work Award is supported by the Irish Sports Council and the HSE. For more information on the award, call the IHF on (01) 668 5001.

For more information on heart disease, see our Heart Disease Clinic here